OH SO CLOSE! Forward comes Ben Foster as the Baggies win a corner. City fail to clear their lines and the ball falls kindly for McClean who navigates a shot through the mess of bodies inside the area, but it drifts just beyond the far post with Hart cleanly beaten!
90' +1
As Aguero finally makes his way off, the board goes up to indicate four minutes of added time - not a welcome sight for City.
90'
G. Clichy enters the game and replaces S. Agüero.
Nerves at the forefront as Aguero limps off rather gingerly as he's set to be replaced for the final minutes. He picked up a knock a bit earlier, but hasn't really shown the effects until now. They'll be hoping it's nothing serious that would keep him out of Tuesday's Champions League clash with PSG. Gael Clichy replaces him.
88'
Fletcher with a chance! Leko provides an exciting ball into the area from the right flank, and Hart whiffs at his clearance! The ball comes for Fletcher, but he gets it all wrong as he fails to send a strike at goal!
86'
Kolarov leads City on the break and rattles the outside of the post with a shot from a difficult angle. City are finding wide-open spaces now on the counter as they try to find a third goal which would put this game to bed.
84'
STAT: Only bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa have a worse goals-per-game ratio than West Brom's 0.97.
82'
INCHES AWAY! Nasri looks a player renewed! He makes a terrific individual run into attack, breaking into the area before cutting onto his right and curling a shot just beyond the top corner with Foster rooted to his spot.
80'
J. Leko enters the game and replaces S. Sessègnon.
West Brom bring on 16-year-old Jonathan Leko, who made his Premier League debut in stoppage time last week at Sunderland. He gets his first real chance to make an impact with the first team here, replacing Sessegnon.
78'
Aguero has played such a great part in this match, and has undoubtedly been City's best player, but it's becoming apparent that he can't play a full 90 minutes. Fatigue is clearly becoming an issue for him, struggling to get on the end of these searching balls forward, allowing the Baggies to consistently win back possession.
Minute
Description
76'
All of a sudden it's becoming a bit uncomfortable for City as they attempt to see this lead through to the final whistle. A victory would take them four-points clear of Manchester United for fourth place, who play at White Hart Lane tomorrow afternoon.
74'
BERAHINO MISSES A SITTER! It's a mess in every aspect, as Gardner's straightforward cross causes City's defence far too much of a problem, as they allow it to run through for Berahino, but he misses the target with the goal at his mercy! The linesman made a mistake as well as he should have put his flag up for offside! I'm not sure what was worse there, the finish, the defending or the missed offside.
72'
STAT: Manchester City have won each of their last eight Premier League games against West Brom.
70'
CLOSE! Good response produced by the Baggies, as Gardner and Berahino link-up on the break. The substitute rolls a return pass through for the striker, but he can't quite sort his footing as he stabs an effort wide of the far post!
68'
City have a spring in their step now, while finding more space to operate in on the front foot as the visitors are forced to throw more bodies forward in search of an equaliser. That's exactly what the doctor ordered for the hosts.
66'
S. Nasri has scored a goal for Manchester City!
A STORYBOOK RETURN FOR NASRI! City have their first lead of the evening and it's no coincidence who was at the heart of it! De Bruyne makes a sensational jaunt into attack, before rolling the ball through for Navas. The Spaniars lays it off for Aguero, whose initial shot it blocked before showing great awareness to set-up Nasri who has a simple finish at the near post.
64'
Manchester City have firmly parked themselves in the attacking half now as West Brom start to drop deeper with the added quality brought into this City side. The hosts have changed their shape a bit as well, with Aguero acting as the lone striker in front of an attacking trio of Navas, De Bruyne and Nasri, with Toure and Fernando just behind them.
62'
STAT: City have won 50 per cent (1.8 pts/game) of their Premier League matches to feature Kevin De Bruyne since the Belgium international's debut last September and only 27 per cent (1.0 pts/game) without him in the side.
60'
Y. Touré enters the game and replaces F. Delph.
K. De Bruyne enters the game and replaces W. Bony.
The second swap brings with it the return of Yaya Toure from injury, replacing Delph.
On comes the cavalry for Manchester City. The first substitution in a double change sees Kevin de Bruyne replace Bony.
58'
NO PENALTY SAYS MIKE JONES! That's extremely careless from Mangala who leaps into the back of Sandro, toppling the midfield over from behind and preventing him from getting on the end of Sessegnon's cross. That's a legitimate shout from the Baggies, but the decision goes against them!
56'
TERRIFIC STRIKE! It's a chance out of absolutely nothing for the hosts! Aguero cuts into the centre and from about 35-yards out he cannons an effort at goal, forcing Foster to dive across to his right and knock the ball to safety!
54'
Bony has been a virtual passenger in this match, though the entirety of the blame shouldn't be placed on his shoulders. He's not the type of striker who will consistently create his own chances, and service has been very poor thus far. City need to start playing some balls in to him through the air.
52'
The width City had going forward was one thing they really had going for them in the first half, but they've come out of the gate far too narrow in their approach. Kolarov has drifted into a central position, in an already clogged midfield, which is making life very easy on the Baggies in defence.
50'
STAT: West Brom have conceded three times in each of their past five Premier League contests against Manchester City.
48'
Timid start to the second half from both teams. It's all bit lethargic at the moment as the sides struggle to keep their legs. Motivation could understandably be a bit of an issue for the Baggies, but there's no reason for City to lose their focus as they're in the midst of a tight battle for a top-four finish.
46'
Here we go again!
45' +2
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 WEST BROM.
45'
There will be two minutes added on at the end of this first half.
43'
Approaching the half-time whistle now and it's anyone's guess as to which way this game will go. West Brom have been dominated by City in recent years but that is far from the case today, and they're showing signs of spoiling the hosts' bid for a top-four finish.
41'
McClean is causing Zabaleta all sorts of problems on the break. The City right-back is being exploited for his lack of pace and that has to be a concern for Pellegrini. The winger sees a cross blocked by the arm of Zabaleta and appeals for a penalty, but he was never going to get that call as the contact was unavoidable.
39'
The rain continues to come down here and it's clearly having an impact on City's ability to build on the ground in attack. Kolarov has provided the bulk of their creativity on the front foot, and with all due respect to the lively left-back, that's not going to cut it for the hosts.
37'
STAT: Manchester City have shipped just one goal in their last four Premier League games after conceding a total of eight in their three fixtures before that.
35'
This has been a much better showing from West Brom in attack, a side who have failed to muster a shot on target in seven Premier League games this season, the most of any club in a single season since 2003/04. They certainly don't appear toothless this evening, but that could perhaps be more of a comment on City's frailties in defence.
33'
C. Gardner gets yellow.
That's a bad one from the substitute! Gardner has a chance from a free-kick in a similar position to the one he scored against Leicester, but his effort is blocked by a team-mate inside the area. In a frantic pursuit to win the ball back, he gets his studs high up and catches Navas, which will prompt Mike Jones to issue the midfielder a yellow card.
31'
The atmosphere at the Etihad resembles that of a wake as opposed to a football match. It's incredibly subdued, with the cagey nature of the match lulling these fans to sleep. They'll have to be much more vocal when PSG come to town on Tuesday, regardless of the flow of the match.
29'
Decent effort! The Baggies are packing a greater punch on the counter than they have shown in recent weeks. Berahino produces a lovely flick to tee up Gardner for a strike atop the area, but the substitute drags his effort just beyond the far post!
27'
The tempo has slowed significantly after a rampant first 20 minutes. City are enjoying the bulk of possession, but the Baggies remain compact in midfield as they keep the hosts to the periphery.
25'
Kolarov has been a focal point in this match, finding himself heavily involved in the play at both ends in this first half. The left-back gets forward again, this time in a more central position, as he takes a pass from Aguero and tries his luck from distance - but his effort blazes just over the bar.
23'
STAT: City have conceded first six times this season at home in the Premier League, and only once did they rescue points, in a 6-1 drubbing of Newcastle.
21'
C. Gardner enters the game and replaces S. Rondón.
The Baggies make their first change, which should prompt a reshuffling in attack as Craig Garnder comes on for the injured Rondon. The substitute will move into the number 10 role, with Berahino now leading the line.
19'
Penalty goal scored by S. Agüero for Manchester City!
AGUERO CONVERTS FROM THE SPOT! Foster guesses right, but there's just too much pace behind the striker's excellently placed penalty as City have restored parity at the Etihad.
18'
PENALTY TO MANCHESTER CITY! Mike Jones is back in the good books of these fans as he does very well to play the advantage and let City's attack continue. Kolarov gets into the area and Sessegnon takes him to ground, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot.
16'
The atmosphere is surprisingly subdued at the Etihad. The start hasn't been ideal for the Citizens, but they need the backing of these fans to get back into the game, and the supporters should be showing their appreciation following their side's strong showing in Paris.
14'
Rondon has picked up a knock, something he has been battling for the last five minutes or so, and it doesn't look like he'll play much more of a part in this match. He's labouring on for now, but Craig Gardner is warming up on the touchline as Pulis appears ready to pull the trigger on a change.
12'
City very much back on the front foot as they win their sixth corner of the match, and third in quick succession. Nasri and Kolarov provide the deliveries, but they're hardly packing the quality that is required, as West Brom don't struggle much in dealing with it.
10'
City will argue that Mike Jone's interruption in midfield has led to the Baggies opener, but they only have themselves to blame. They still had plenty of bodies back in defence and a number of opportunities to deal with the threat. Kolarov should have got a block on the shot, while Hart had to do better to react to it.
8'
STAT: West Brom have registered seven 1-0 wins this season - the joint-highest figure in the division alongside leaders Leicester.
6'
S. Sessègnon has scored a goal for West Bromwich Albion! Assist by J. McClean.
Great running and an ever better pick out from McClean who picks up the assist.
WEST BROM LEAD AMIDST CONTROVERSY! Mike Jones gets in the way of Samir Nasri, which brings an end to City's attack and allows the visitors to break. McClean makes strides down the left and picks out an excellent cross for Sessegnon, who brings the ball down admirably before sending an emphatic strike past Hart at the near post from a difficult angle. The keeper was rooted to his spot, but he really shouldn't be beaten from there.
3'
The match is wonderfully stretched in the opening minutes, with City especially lively as they commit their full-backs forward on the overlap. The conditions will make for a nervy evening for the two keepers, who will have to be very sharp in dealing with balls into the box from the wider areas.
1'
Underway in Manchester!
West Brom have struggled of late to get amongst the goals, and with their Premier League status secured for next season, motivation could start to become a factor. They have found the back of the net just once since a 2-2 draw with Leicester at the King Power on the first of March, and they won’t fancy their chances this afternoon given their recent struggles against this City side.
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Etihad as Manchester City try hold on to fourth place when they play host to West Brom. Kevin de Bruyne’s return has sparked the Citizens, who looked like their old selves in a 4-0 demolition of Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium a week ago. They followed it up in the Champions League with an impressive 2-2 draw in Paris – De Bruyne amongst the goals – leaving them poised for a potential semi-final berth should they take care of business in the return leg on Tuesday. This is something of an ideal match for Manuel Pellegrini’s side as, with the Baggies struggling to find their form, it shouldn’t take too much focus away from their looming clash with PSG.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
MANCHESTER CITY (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Kolarov; Navas, Fernando, Delph, Nasri; Aguero, Bony.
SUBS: Fernandinho, Toure, De Bruyne, Demichelis, Iheanacho, Clichy, Caballero.
Manuel Pellegrini has rotated his squad ahead of their crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg at home to PSG on Tuesday. Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Fernandinho, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne are all awarded a rest after featuring in their draw in Paris on Wednesday, while Vincent Kompany, Raheem Sterling and Yaya Toure remain injured, though the latter is available as a substitute. Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandr Kolarov come in as the two wing-backs, while Fabian Delph, who featured as a substitute midweek, is handed a start. Samir Nasri makes his first start in nearly seven months, providing support along with Jesus Navas on the flank for the strike duo of Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony.
Just two changes for the Baggies following their draw at the Stadium of Light, and they are positive ones from Tony Pulis who is trying to get his side back amongst the goals. Stephane Sessegnon and James McClean are brought in to man the flanks in support of Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon, with Claudio Yacob and Craig Gardner giving way. Darren Fletcher drops into a deeper role in midfield to make room, partnering ex-Tottenham man Sandro.
The players come out of the tunnel to a very wet pitch at the Etihad. The rain has been pouring down steadily today, with it picking up drastically over the last hour or so, though it has slowed a bit over the last 10 minutes. It's still coming down nonetheless, and we'll see what sort of effect it has on the match.
Stephane Sessegnon gave West Brom a shock lead after six minutes, but he went on to concede a penalty shortly after, which Sergio Aguero was able to convert to pull City level. That's where we stand after 45 minutes at the end of a very even first half of play at the Etihad, leaving the match perfectly poised for the final 45 minutes.
Samir Nasri scored his first goal since August as the Citizens come from behind at the Etihad to move four-points clear of their Manchester rivals in fourth place. Sessegnon opened the scoring for the Baggies, but Manuel Pellegrini's side are able to scrape away three points in the end thanks to a Sergio Aguero penalty and Nasri's winner in his first City start in seven months.
That's all for our live coverage from Manchester, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
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