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West Brom logo
Premier League
Dec 4, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

2-3

Pantilimon (85' og.), Anichebe (94')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Aguero (9'), Toure (24', 74' pen.)

Live Commentary: West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Manchester City - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns.
2

West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City met in their Premier League match at The Hawthorns.

Sergio Aguero gave the visitors an early lead, before Yaya Toure doubled their advantage midway through the first half.

In the second 45 minutes, Toure scored from the penalty spot to give his side a three goal lead.

An own goal from Costel Pantilimon and an injury-time strike from Victor Anichebe came too late, as City held on to the win.

Read how the action unfolded below.


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Good evening everyone! Thank you for joining us for live text commentary of the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns.

It is a busy night of Premier League action, with nine games taking place across the country, but here we will be focusing on the action set to unfold in the West Midlands.

West Brom go into the game looking for their first win in three Premier League matches, having suffered a defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park in their last outing, prior to draws against Aston Villa and Chelsea.

Manchester City are one of the Premier League’s in-form sides, and have been scoring goals for fun in recent weeks. In their 13 league games this season, they have found the net 37 times. That’s 10 more goals than league leaders Arsenal, who are the second most prolific team in the league.

As well as boasting a stunning goal scoring record, they have the league’s top marksman in Sergio Aguero, who leads the scoring charts with 10 strikes.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS: The line ups have been announced, and the big talking point from a City point of view, is the return of Vincent Kompany from injury. He is back in the starting line up, but Joe Hart remains on the bench.

WEST BROM XI: Myhill, Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Yacob, Brunt, Amalfitano, Morrison, Berahino, Long

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Navas, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko

WEST BROM SUBS: Daniels, Gera, Lugano, Anichebe, Popov, Sessegnon, Vydra

MANCHESTER CITY SUBS: Hart, Lescott, Richards, Garcia, Rodwell, Negredo, Milner

The home side will be desperate to pick up something from tonight's game, as they are only five clear of the relegation zone, having collected 15 points so far this season. They have been unfortunate in recent weeks, having conceded a controversial late penalty against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, before letting slip a two goal lead at home against rivals Aston Villa.



It has been confirmed that the kick off to tonight's game has been delayed and will start 15 minutes later than planned. Both teams arrived at the ground shortly after 7pm, due to heavy traffic.

Tonight's delay may further add to the away side's nerves. City have only won one of their six games away from home in the league all season. On that occasion they beat West Ham United 3-1 at Upton Park.

Despite their poor away form, they have one of the best defensive records in the league. They have conceded 12 goals, keeping six clean sheets in the process. West Brom aren’t too far behind, with 16 goals shipped, and four clean sheets from their 13 league outings.

Back to the reactions of tonight's team news, and the inclusion of Belgium defender Kompany in the starting XI. He has missed the last 10 games in all competitions for City, and having their captain back will be a huge boost for the entire team.

Another change to the City side, sees Edin Dzeko start in place of Alvaro Negredo. It has been a battle all season between them as to who starts in the attack with Sergio Aguero, and the Bosnian forward will be doing all he can to impress this evening.

As far as West Brom are concerned, Steve Clarke brings Saido Berahino back into the starting line up. The England under-21 international has been in superb form this season, and has bagged six goals in all competitions. Earlier this week he agreed to a new long-term contract with the club, that will keep him at The Hawthorns till 2017.

Captain Chris Brunt hasn't featured as much as he would have liked so far, but he scored during the weekend's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle and has earned his place back in the side. West Brom will be looking for his experience to help them today.

The game at the Hawthorns will be the last to kick off this evening. Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur start their game at 8pm, but the rest of the 7.45pm kick offs have already begun.

UPDATE: League leaders Arsenal have taken an early lead in their home game against Hull City. Nicklas Bendtner was recalled to their stating line up in place of Olivier Giroud, and has headed the Gunners ahead inside of two minutes.

West Brom will be hoping they can get ahead on early on too, but they have only scored 15 goals this season so far, and Shane Long is their top scorer with 3 strikes to his name.

REFEREE: Chris Foy will be the man in charge of tonight's game. Hopefully he didn't have any trouble getting to the ground this evening!

PREDICTION: With the form that Manchester City are in recently, you would expect them to record a comfortable victory, but on their last game away from the Etihad, they were beaten by Sunderland. It is strange that they have been unable to replicate their stunning form at home to points on the road, but I feel that they have enough quality in the side to edge past their opponents tonight. A 2-1 win to City is how I see this game ending.

There are just over 10 minutes left until kick off here. For those who have just joined us, the game has been delayed until 8.15pm due to heavy traffic in the West Brom area, that led to both teams arriving at the ground late.

The last meeting between these two teams ended in Manchester City winning 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to a goal from Dzeko. They claimed a 2-1 victory in this game last season, and it has been seven matches since Albion came out on top in the Premier League.

The players are lined up in the tunnel, ready to enter the pitch, while the Hawthorns looks like it's still filling up.

The teams are out and the game is just moments away from finally getting started!

KICKOFF! We are underway at The Hawthorns.

The visitors have started on the front foot and are seeing plenty of the ball. Eventually, it drops to Nasri who is just outside the box, but his effort is struck high over the bar.

West Brom win a free kick just inside their opponents' half, which is played into the box by Brunt. It is a fine delivery into the box, but there was an offside given and City are back on the ball.

Almost a chance for Dzeko. Zabaleta works his way to byline before delivering a teasing cross that is just over the head of the striker.

CHANCE! Lovely build up play from City! Toure chips the ball into the path of Dzeko, who flicks it through for Aguero. The Argentine takes the shot early, but fires it wide of the goal.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Manchester City (Aguero)

This is a wonderful team goal by the visitors. Dzeko slides through an inch perfect ball to Zabaleta, who drives into the box, before pulling it back to Aguero to hammer into the net.

Judging from the way the game has started, City are going to see plenty of the ball this evening. They are passing it around brilliantly and look a threat every time they come forward.

CHANCE! City come close to grabbing a second. Nasri receives the ball out wide and plays in a low cross, that Dzeko is within inches of getting a foot on.

Zabaleta is lucky to get away without a booking after a crunching challenge from behind on Ridgewell. The referee has been very lenient with that decision.

CHANCE! Berahino works a good opening for himself and fancies his chances from 25 yards out. His shot is well hit, but travels wide of Pantilimon's goal.

West Brom are standing off City and allowing them to pass the ball around the midfield with ease. They must get tighter if they want to stop their flowing attacking moves.

CHANCE! Dzeko and Aguero have produced some fantastic link up play this evening. A long ball is pumped forward to the Bosnian, who chests the ball down to Aguero, but his shot on goal is poor and doesn't come close to troubling Myhill.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Manchester City (Toure)

The visitors are two goals up, and they have produced another brilliant team move. Nasri works the ball wide to Kolarov, who delivers a low cross into the middle, that is guided into the net by Toure.

CHANCE! Aguero may have scored, but he has wasted a couple of good openings in this match. City again move the ball around well and work it to Aguero on the edge of the area, but he lashes a half-volley over the bar.

CHANCE! West Brom lose the ball in midfield and City come pouring forward. It is played wide to Kolarov, who delivers a teasing ball into the middle, but Dzeko and Aguero are unable to get on the end of it.

The home side look to put City under some pressure as Brunt has a long range shot well blocked, before Reid's attempted cross is headed away from danger.

CHANCE! West Brom's defence make a mess of a long ball, with Aguero latching onto it. He drives at goal, before firing in a shot from a tight angle, that the keeper touches wide.

CHANCE! From the resulting set piece, Dzeko rises highest to get his head on the ball, but can only direct it over the bar.

CHANCE! City could have had at least four or five goals this half. It's another quick break, and Aguero gets in down the right hand side. He pulls the ball back to Fernandinho, but his volleyed effort is poorly struck and goes over.

Brunt may have scored a fine goal at Newcastle United this weekend, but his latest attempt on goal isn't the best, as he lashes a 30 yard effort high into the crowd.

Berahino has a chance to get a shot away from the edge of the box, but the returning Kompany dives in to make a brilliant block.

West Brom put together their best passing move of the game and the ball is eventually played back to Long on the edge of the area, but he takes his time to get a shot away and City clear.

We are going to have one minute added on at the end of the half.

HALF-TIME: West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Manchester City

Well, that first half has flown by! Manchester City are in complete control thanks to goals from Aguero and Toure. They have played some fantastic football, and fully deserve their lead.

The statistics say it all really. City have enjoyed 61% of the possession and have had 10 attempts on goal this evening. West Brom have had 6 strikes, but they are yet to hit the target.

UPDATE: In tonight's other games that will concern title chasing Manchester City, Arsenal are beating Hull City 2-0, Chelsea are leading 3-2 against Sunderland and Liverpool are 3-0 up against Norwich City.

Steve Clarke will be having some strong words with his Albion team. They have allowed Manchester City the freedom of the pitch and have not got tight enough to their danger men. It will be a tough ask to get anything from this game, especially with the visitors in such good form.

The players are back out on the pitch and the second half should be underway shortly.

City kick off and get the half started.

The away side have started the second half in the same way they did the first. It is too easy for their midfielders to pick a pass, and West Brom are still not getting close to them.

CHANCE! Aguero has his first attempt of the half, with a powerful strike from outside the box, but it heads just over the bar. It looked like that was deflected but the referee didn't see it.

The home fans are appealing for a penalty when Long bursts into the box, before falling to the ground. The referee doesn't give it though and he has made the right call, as the striker looks to have dived over Kolarov's leg.

West Brom have a good chance to get players forward, as Berahino leads a break. The ball is then played wide to Amalfitano, whose cross from the byline is poor and goes out of play.

Aguero shows some wonderful skill to beat three men and burst into the box, but the Albion defence finally bring his run to an end as he attempts a shot.

The home side are starting to ask questions of Manchester City's defence. In their latest move, Berahino picks up the ball on the edge of the area, before attempting a strike on goal, but he mis-hits it and it goes well wide.

After an hour of this game, West Brom have still not found the target, with Pantilimon having a relatively event free evening so far.

This has been a professional display by City in the second half. They may not have added to their advantage, but have kept hold of the ball well for long periods of the game.

SUBSTITUTION: It's a double change for West Brom. Anichebe and Gera are on in place of Morrison and Long.

Berahino shows great skill to get past Zabaleta on the left hand side and drills a low ball into the middle, that deflects kindly into the path of Pantilimon. He has looked their most lively player and City will have to be aware of the threat he poses.

SUBSTITUTION: Manchester City make their first change, as Milner comes on for Aguero.

It looks like City are more concerned about holding onto their two goal lead than adding to it by that change. Milner will surely add more steel to the side and help to guard against any complacency in the closing stages.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 0-3 Manchester City (Toure)

Manchester City are awarded a penalty when Kolarov is brought down inside the box by Yacob. Toure steps up to take the kick, and makes no mistake to score his second goal of the evening, and his side's third.

SUBSTITUTION: West Brom make their final change, as Amalfitano heads off to be replaced by Vydra.

SUBSTITUTION: City also make a change as Garcia replaces Nasri.

West Brom look like a beaten team. They allow the visitors to work the ball into the box, with Milner trying his luck from a tight angle, but his effort is hit straight at the keeper.

Berahino looks close to getting the home side's first shot on target, when he receives the ball in acres of space just inside the box. The effort looked to be heading in, but City manage to block the strike and it heads over the bar.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-3 Manchester City (Pantilimon own goal)

Albion have pulled one back and it's an own goal by the keeper! A fine passing move sees the ball played across the box, with Anichebe getting his foot to it. It seemed to be heading wide, but it deflects of the unfortunate keeper and finds the net.

YELLOW CARD! Olsson picks up the first booking of the night for a late challenge.

SUBSTITUTION: The brilliant Toure gets a rest and Rodwell is on in his place.

CHANCE! West Brom finally force Pantilimon into a save as he is at full stretch to palm Berahino's curling effort wide.

We are going to have four minutes of added time.

GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Manchester City (Anichebe)

Anichebe pulls back another goal for West Brom, after turning Demichelis on the edge of the box, before firing in a low effort past the keeper. Is there time left for a third?

FULL-TIME: West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Manchester City

After being in control for much of the game, Manchester City nearly threw away their three goal lead. There wasn't enough time for West Brom to get a third, but Clarke will be pleased at their attempts late on.

That's all we've got time for here at Sports Mole, please stay with us for all of the results from tonight's games and latest breaking news. Goodnight!

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