Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of the day's early kick-off in the Premier League. In store for you today we have title hopefuls Manchester City taking on Southampton from the Etihad Stadium.

Fernandinho goes into the book for a deliberate handball. Silly decision, that.

Frustration continues to build as we approach half-time. Hart’s throw to Dzeko puts the Bosnian in a bit of trouble, and when the hosts concede possession, the home crowd demand a free-kick, but there’s nothing in it. The men in blue will be looking forward to half-time.

City are looking a little rattled. The usually-steady Toure swipes at a loose ball at the far post and miskicks it completely, almost allowing for Lallana to steal in and poke the ball home.

It’s not going quite according to plan for City. There’s a real lack of atmosphere inside the Etihad, and a real lack of cohesion on the pitch. City look tired and devoid of any creativity. Pellegrini is surely to have some choice words for his side at the break.

Lallana has some space inside the City penalty are and is found by Davis scooped pass, but the flag is up and the move brought to an end. It was a close decision, but ultimately the right one. Southampton in the ascendancy.

Very few sides are able to go toe-to-toe in the Premier League, especially at the Etihad, but the visitors have done just that. In fact, aside from the opening five minutes of this match, they have been the better side.

GOAL!! Hart guesses the right way, but Lambert's spot-kick is too good, creeping just inside of the right-hand post.

Zabaleta is the guilty man, bringing down Cork needlessly just inside the City penalty area. Rickie Lambert will step up, and there is usually very little doubt when he does so.

PENALTY TO SOUTHAMPTON!!!

CROSSBAR!! Dzeko should score Toure’s set-piece from the right-hand side of the penalty area is sent towards the unmarked Bosnian at the far post, but his header cannons off the bar.

Southampton are really struggling to clear their lines. City continue to attack, and send a flurry of decent crosses into the penalty area, but the visitors survive.

Lambert has dropped deep on a number of occasions so far this afternoon. The forward does often provide so much more for Pochettino’s side, and has undoubtedly been their brightest player today – free-kick aside – and almost picks out Davis with a cross-field ball. It’s just overhit, however, and City have a goal kick.

A nice spell from City, who work the ball well as they make their way towards the Southampton penalty area. There’s a half-shout for a penalty as the ball pops up and catches the chest of Lovren before Jesus Navas blasts the ball wide from 18 yards.

Lambert receives an earful from a few of his teammates for the weak effort, and rightly so. It was very poor, and the cross would have been the much better option.

Southampton earn a free-kick in a decent position on the edge of the City area. The visitors pack the box, but Lamert opts to go for goal and gets it all wrong.

News coming from the touchline is that Rodriguez is to be taken straight to hospital. Terrible news, but Southampton stil have a game to get on with and trail 1-0.

James Ward-Prowse, who made way in today's starting line-up, has come on in place of the injured Rodriguez.

England boss Roy Hodgson is in the crowd and will not be happy to see the young man like this. Rodriguez’s World Cup dream looks to be over. A real shame for the youngster who has been terrific for the Saints this season.

Real concern for England striker Rodriguez. The former Burnley man lands awkwardly on his knee and is in instant agony. The 24-year-old is in tears on the field and is obviously aware that this is a serious injury.

There’s even more of a cheer now as City think they’ve won a throw-in, only for it to be awarded to the visitors.

City are really struggling to string more than five passes together at present. Every misplaced ball is greeted with a huge groan from the Etihad faithful. There’s real discontent inside the stadium from the home support, and the away fans are cheering every pass. Entertaining stuff.