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Live Commentary: West Bromwich Albion 0-3 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.
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Manchester City have made a winning start to the season by beating West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at the Hawthorns this evening.

Yaya Toure gave the Citizens an early lead when his low strike was touched on by David Silva and deflected into the net by Craig Dawson.

The midfielder added a second goal with a powerful strike into the top corner and Vincent Kompany headed in a third goal after the break to wrap up the points.

Find out how the action unfolded below.


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Good evening everyone! Over the weekend we saw some surprises and some fantastic goals as the Premier League made a welcome return. The action isn't over yet though, as West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City get their campaigns underway at the Hawthorns.

Having seen Chelsea and Arsenal falter in their opening fixtures, City will be hoping to make a strong claim of their title aspirations. The Citizens finished second last season and failed to pick up any silverware so the pressure is on Manuel Pellegrini and his players to deliver.

Meanwhile, the first aim for the Baggies this season will be to maintain their place in the top flight. They did look in danger of being relegated last term, but the arrival of Tony Pulis steadied the ship and hopes are high that they can finish in the top 10.



Right, the team news has arrived, so let's see which players will be lining up at the Hawthorns this evening.

WEST BROM XI: Myhill, Chester, Dawson, Lescott, Brunt, Morrison, Gardner, Fletcher, McClean, Berahino, Lambert

MAN CITY XI: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, Sterling, Bony

WEST BROM SUBS: Rose, Olsson, Yacob, McManaman, Sessegnon, Anichebe, Ideye

MAN CITY: Caballero, Zabaleta, Denayer, Demichelis, Nasri, Iheanacho, Aguero

So, that's how the teams will be looking this evening. The big news for Manchester City fans is the inclusion of Raheem Sterling in the starting lineup, but Sergio Aguero is only named on the bench, with Wilfried Bony chosen to lead their attack instead.

Bacary Sagna and Eliaquim Mangala are also given chances to impress at the back, with Argentine duo Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis among the substitutes following their Copa America exploits. Otherwise it is a settled City lineup, with the familiar faces of Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and David Silva all involved.

Meanwhile, West Brom have handed debuts to three of their summer signings. Rickie Lambert, James McClean and James Chester all make the starting XI, but more recent arrivals Serge Gnabry and Salomon Rondon have not been registered in time to play. Saido Berahino also starts, despite the constant speculation over his future with the club.

So, we've already had a look at some of this season's title contenders and now it's time for City to show their credentials. They did not enjoy the best of campaigns last time around and struggled to keep up with Chelsea as the Blues romped to the championship.

Dejection amongst the Manchester City ranks after a fourth goal by Manchester United on April 12, 2015© Getty Images


Their inconsistent form was not just confined to the league, as they suffered a shock defeat to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup and were dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona. Many thought that Pellegrini would be sacked, but he kept his job and earlier this week he penned a new two-year contract.

Over the summer there hasn't been too many changes to the squad, but they have brought in Raheem Sterling for a club record fee of £49m. They have also signed Fabian Delph, but the midfielder is currently out with a hamstring injury.

They are expected to bring in some more new faces before the widow closes, as a whole host of players have left the Etihad. James Milner and Frank Lampard have moved on, Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko have joined Inter Milan and Roma on loan, while fringe players such as Micah Richards and Scott Sinclair have also departed.

The Citizens will hope that they can put their pre-season form behind them, as they have suffered heavy defeats to Real Madrid and Stuttgart this summer. With a huge match to come next weekend against Chelsea, you get the feeling that it is vital for them to get off to a winning start today to help boost the confidence around the Etihad

While City will be expected to challenge for the title, the priority for West Brom is ensuring Premier League survival for a sixth straight season. The Baggies have largely managed to avoid relegation scraps in recent years, and with Tony Pulis in charge, they have a manager who has never taken a club down.

New head coach of West Bromwich Albion Tony Pulis waves to the crowd prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Gateshead at The Hawthorns on January 3, 2015© Getty Images


He had a huge task last season after being appointed in January, as the club were in real trouble following a poor opening few months. His arrival at the club led to an upturn in fortunes and they quickly eased away from the danger zone and even recorded some memorable scalps over Manchester United and Chelsea.

In terms of transfers, it had been a rather unspectacular summer for the club until today's arrival of Salomon Rondon for a record fee of £12m. They have also brought in James Chester, Rickie Lambert and James McClean, although moves for Abou Diaby and Bakary Sako failed to materialise. Perhaps their most important piece of business will be to keep hold of Saido Berahino, who has been strongly linked with a transfer in recent months.

There was plenty of controversy when the two clubs met back in March, as Gareth McAuley was wrongly sent off in a case of mistaken identity just two minutes into the game. Craig Dawson had brought down Wilfried Bony and was the last man, but referee Neil Swarbrick showed the card to McAuley. City then took control and comfortably eased to a 3-0 victory.

Referee Neil Swarbrick shows Gareth McAuley of West Brom (R) a red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at Etihad Stadium on March 21, 2015© Getty Images


It was a familiar result for City, who have won their previous seven games against the Baggies and haven't lost any of the last 10. You have to go back five years for West Brom's last win in this fixture, which was a 2-1 victory at home in the third round of the League Cup.

PREDICTION: We saw a big surprise at the Emirates yesterday and if Man City aren't at their best then another shock could be on the cards. West Brom stunned Chelsea last season with a fine team display and they are sure to be well drilled again. However, I feel that the visitors have enough quality and I'm tipping them to earn a 2-0 win this evening.

Both teams are now on the pitch and there is a great atmosphere inside the Hawthorns. We've also just seen Salomon Rondon make a brief appearance and those supporters will be hoping he can make a telling impact throughout the season.

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Hawthorns!

City have made a dominant start to the match and they are seeing plenty of the ball deep inside their opponents' half of the pitch. They have also managed to put together some flowing moves, but Albion are set up well and they should prove tough to break down.

The visitors are still well on top and Toure is already looking a commanding presence in the midfield. The Ivorian has shown some great touches, with Silva also getting into dangerous positions in between West Brom's defence and midfield.

GOAL! West Brom 0-1 Manchester City (Yaya Toure)

City have been in complete control and they make their early dominance count. It's not the greatest goal you will ever see, as Toure's low drive from the edge of the box is flicked on by Silva and takes a big deflection off Dawson, before rolling past the stranded Myhill.

SHOT! West Brom just can't get outside their own half and they are inviting a huge amount of pressure from the visitors. City also manage to work another chance, as Bony lashes in a strike from just outside the box that deflects wide for a corner.

We have barely seen any signs of West Brom as an attacking threat and they don't have an outlet for when they win the ball back. Lambert and Berahino need to be doing more for their team and Pulis must tell his players to stop dropping so deep.

The pattern of the game has not changed since the opening minute and the visitors are still playing it around their midfield with ease. There is no pressure on the ball from the hosts and they look like causing panic in the box every time they come forward.

SHOT! City have already found the net with a fortunate deflection and they almost get another one here when the ball breaks kindly to Bony and the striker fires in a low drive. However, his effort is poor and doesn't cause any problems for Myhill and his defence are able to clear to safety.

GOAL! West Brom 0-2 Manchester City (Yaya Toure)

There may be slight confusion about the scorer of the first goal, but there is no debate about the second, as Toure scores a sublime effort to double City's tally. The Ivorian burst through the midfield and exchanged passes with Bony, before curling a wonderful shot into the top corner from just outside the box. There was no chance of Myhill saving that and City already look on their way to three points this evening.

SHOT! West Brom finally have a chance to test Hart when they win a free kick around 25 yards out. Lambert steps up and tries to curl one into the cop corner, but it's not his best effort and he sends the ball high over the bar.

The Baggies have started to push forward more since falling two goals behind and Morrison gets in down the right for the first time. He then looks up and aims to pick out the run of Berainho in the box, but he can only hammer his low cross into the side netting.

CLOSE! City have been brilliant in this first half and Kolarov spring the offside trap to get free down the left flank. The Serbian has plenty of time to pick his pass and he finds Bony just inside the box, who fires a low strike just inches wide of the near post, via the aid of a slight deflection.

If West Brom aren't careful then this match could be done and dusted by half time. They have been far too open at the back and they have barely shown any threat in the final third, with Hart left completely untroubled so far.

In the past few minutes the Baggies have seen a lot more of the ball, but they have still not managed to get in behind the City defence. If they can hang on and go into the break without conceding a third goal, then there is every chance of a comeback in the second half, no matter how unlikely that appears right now.

YELLOW CARD! Fletcher is the first player to pick up a card this evening for a late challenge on Silva.

SAVE! It should be three for City as Sterling latches onto Fernandinho's pass and is faced with just Myhill to beat. The forward then looks to slot an effort into the bottom corner, but he doesn't quite get the ball out of his feet properly and sees the strike pushed to safety by the keeper.

GOAL DISALLOWED! This time the Baggies put the ball into the net, but it's ruled out for offside. Berahino had been played through by Morrison and finished neatly into the corner past Hart, but he was a few yards beyond the City defence.

CHANCE! Kolarov has been a real threat for City down the left and he is in again after being found by Silva. He is at a tight angle, but he still opts to shoot and sees his effort turned behind for a corner after a superb block from Berahino.

HALF-TIME: West Brom 0-2 Manchester City

A very one-sided first half comes to an end with Manchester City in complete control at the Hawthorns. Yaya Toure has kicked off his season in style with both of the goals and they could easily have scored a couple more. Pulis is sure to have some strong words for his team, as they just haven't got started this evening.

Yaya Toure of Manchester City (2L) is congratulated by team mates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns on August 10, 2015© Getty Images


The statistics from the opening 45 minutes just about sum up how dominant City have been. They have seen a massive 71% of the possession and have had 11 shots on goal, although just three of those have found the target. Meanwhile, West Brom's only attempt has been a free kick from Rickie Lambert, that the striker fired well over the bar.

It's hard to see just how West Brom are going to get back into the match, but they do have some attacking options on the bench. Brown Ideye, who scored seven goals last season, and Victor Anichebe could come on up front, while Callum McManaman would provide a threat from out wide.

There may be some people before the game questioning the decision to leave Sergio Aguero on the bench, but City have not missed their leading marksman. Wilfried Bony has enjoyed a good first half and he linked up brilliantly with Toure for his side's second goal.

West Brom take the kick off and get us back underway! The hosts have also made a change at the break, with Yacob coming on for McClean.

CHANCE! City began the first half strongly and they almost make a flying start to the second. Sterling is found on the left and he charges into the box before drilling in a low strike that is well saved by Myhill.

CLOSE! Lambert put a free kick over the bar in the first half, but he comes closer here with a curling effort that heads just inches over the bar. If that was on target then I don't think Hart was getting there, but the keeper still has not been forced into making a save.

CHANCE! What a huge chance this is for the Baggies to get on the scoresheet. Berahino beats the offside trap and finds himself through on goal, but he gets the ball stuck underneath his feet and before he can get a shot away Hart is quickly off his line to gather.

YELLOW CARD! Fernandinho goes into the referee's notebook for a foul on Gardner.

City look as if they can crank it up a notch and score a third goal at any time and they spring to life with Silva darting down the right. The Spaniard looks to be crowded out by two defenders, but he still manages to get to the byline and deliver a low ball into the middle that is only just out of the reach of his teammates.

YELLOW CARD! There have been quite a few fouls since the break and Gardner is the latest player to be shown a card for a challenge on Navas.

YELLOW CARD! Yet another booking for the hosts, as Chester is shown yellow for dragging back Sterling.

GOAL! West Brom 0-3 Manchester City (Vincent Kompany)

It's surely all over now as Kompany grabs a third goal of the evening for City. The defender made a great run to the near post to meet Silva's corner, before sending a powerful header beyond Myhill and into the net.

YELLOW CARD! West Brom's frustrations are clear to see and Yacob is their fourth player of the match to be booked for kicking out at Silva.

SUBSTITUTION: City are making their first change of the match, with Aguero coming on to join the action in place of Bony.

This has been such a fine performance from City, but above all their attitude has been outstanding. They have not shied away from any tackles this evening and they are still putting in plenty of effort, despite being three goals ahead.

SHOT! West Brom haven't created too many chances this evening and all of their shots on goal have come from outside the box. Their latest attempt to try and test Hart comes from Gardner, who lashes a wild effort high and very wide of the target.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Both clubs are going to make a change here, with Anichebe replacing Lambert for the Baggies and Nasri coming on for Sterling for the visitors.

Gardner has another chance when he picks up the ball in space and charges towards the box. It opens up for him and he goes for goal once more, but again the strike is poor and Hart watches it sail wide.

CHANCE! West Brom put together their best move of the match as Berahino back heels the ball nearly through to Brunt on the left. The Irishman then fires in a teasing cross that Morrison arrives to meet, but he can only direct his header straight into the gloves of Hart.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Once again there is a change apiece, with McManaman on to replace Berainho for the Baggies and City replacing Toure with Demichelis.

After the third goal, it was starting to look like we would see a bit of a hammering for West Brom, but City have sat back and allowed their opponents time on the ball. Albion have tried to pull a goal back in these later stages, but they have not managed to find a way past this well-organised City defence.

SHOT! Anichebe has looked lively since coming on and he shows good strength to get away from Kompany and into space. He has room to shoot and fires in a powerful effort with his left foot, but it is too close to Hart, who manages to hold on.

SAVE! Aguero would love to open his account for the season and the Argentine comes close when the ball breaks kindly to him inside the box. He then drills in a low strike from out wide, but Myhill is in the right place and turns the ball to safety.

We are going to have three minute of stoppage time.

SAVE! Despite conceding three goals this evening, Mhyill has made some good saves and he is forced into making another to beat away Kolarov's powerful free kick.

FULL-TIME: West Brom 0-3 Manchester City

The final whistle blows and Manchester City have got their Premier League season off to a winning start. The result never seemed in doubt from the moment that Yaya Toure gave them the lead and they played some fantastic football. They were just far too good for West Brom, who will hope to bounce back next week against Watford.

Vincent Kompany of Manchester City scores their third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City at The Hawthorns on August 10, 2015© Getty Images


Our live coverage for the evening is coming to an end, but we've got analysis and player ratings from the Hawthorns to bring you in a little while. We'll also have all the reaction to today's match and plenty more breaking stories throughout the night. Until next time, Goodbye!

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Manuel Pellegrini manager of Manchester City looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City at Loftus Road on November 8, 2014
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