Manchester City 3 Southampton 2:

Premier League champions Manchester City began the defence of their title with a come-from-behind win over new boys Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

The home side were dealt an early blow when last season's top scorer Sergio Aguero was stretchered off with a knee injury before David Silva fluffed a penalty after Carlos Tevez was tripped by Jos Hooiveld.

The Argentine edged City into the lead five minutes before half time however when he latched on to Samir Nasri's pass before lashing the ball past Kelvin Davis.

Just as the home side appeared to be cruising in the second half, substitute Rickie Lambert struck to level the score before former Rangers midfielder Steven Davis edged the visitors in front.

But the Saints' lead was short lived as Edin Dzeko equalised from close range before the impressive Samir Nasri struck the winner with 10 minutes remaining.

Matchwinner: Samir Nasri (centre) celebrates scoring the winning goal for Manchester City

MATCH FACTS

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Silva (Balotelli 72), Rodwell, Toure, Nasri, Aguero (Dzeko 14), Tevez (Kolarov 87)

Subs not used: Pantilimon, Milner, Savic, De Jong

Goals: Tevez 40, Dzeko 72, Nasri 80

Booked: Nasri

Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Ward-Prowse (Steven Davis 65), Lallana, Schneiderlin, Puncheon (Sharp 86), Rodriguez (Lambert 55), Do Prado

Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Richardson, Shaw, Seaborne

Goals: Lambert 59, Davis 68

Booked: Fox, Schneiderlin

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

Att: 46,190

Blow: Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne (left) slides in on Manchester City's Sergio Aguero

Agony: Aguero writhes around on the ground after hurting his knee (above) before being stretchered off

 

Fluffed his lines: David Silva missed a chance to put his side in front when he saw his penalty saved

In front: Carlos Tevez fires the ball past Kelvin Davis to open the scoring for City against Southampton

Jumping for joy: Tevez celebrates scoring City's opener as the champions begin the defence of their title

 

New boy: Jack Rodwell made his Manchester City debut against Southampton

Party time: Southampton celebrate Rickie Lambert's equaliser against Manchester City

Contrasting fortunes: Rodwell (left) rues his mistake as Steven Davis celebrates putting Southampton in front

Level pegging: Edin Dzeko slams the ball home to score City's equaliser (above) and then peels away (below)