Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League encounter between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium. What a cracker this match promises to be...

Today's match pits seventh-placed City against fourth-placed Everton, who are the only team left in the Premier League with an unbeaten record.

We will bring you team news from the Etihad Stadium as soon as we have it...

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Kolarov; Fernandino, Toure, Milner; Silva; Aguero, Negrgedo

EVERTON: Howard; Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Coleman; McCarthy, Osman, Naismith, Barkley; Mirallas, Lukaku

The big team news for Man City is that Joe Hart keeps his place in goal. The England international's form has been under heavy criticism in recent weeks and was magnified even more on Wednesday following City's 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Meanwhile, there are a total of six changes to the side that were beaten by Bayern, with Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, Joleon Lescott, David Silva, Alvaro Negredo and James Milner all coming in.

In contrast, Everton have made one change to their starting XI following Monday's 3-2 win over Newcastle United. On-loan Gareth Barry is the man to make way as he is ineligible to play against his parent club, and his absence sees Steven Naismith given the nod by manager Roberto Martinez.

MAN CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Richards, Clichy, Nastasic, Navas, Nasri, Dzeko

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Gibson, Heitinga, Jelavic, Kone, Deulofeu, Stones

Right, back to business. It would be fair to say that Man City's form in the Premier League has been a touch ropey of late, with Manuel Pellegrini's side taking 10 points from their first six games. They were beaten 3-2 at Aston Villa last time out, a result that erased some of the euphoria following their 4-1 derby demolition of Manchester United.

If anything, it has been Man City's home form that has left them down so far this season. They've taken one point from a possible nine on the road. Good job they're at home for this game: they've won all three matches at the Etihad Stadium.

One thing Man City will be keen to do today is get back to winning ways following that loss to Bayern in Europe. If you missed the goals, here they are. Excuse the foreign commentary...

As you can see from those highlights, Wednesday night's match wasn't exactly Joe Hart's finest hour. With that performance still fresh in the memory, this is a big afternoon for the 26-year-old. Any errors today and the alarm bells really will be ringing.

What about Everton? Well, manager Roberto Martinez has got the Toffees playing some scintillating football this season, a world away from the dogged determination of the David Moyes era. Not only is it pleasing on the eye but it's also yielding results. They didn't get off to the fastest of starts in the league, though they have won their last three on the bounce.

The last of those victories came on Monday night when they put three goals past Newcastle United in the first half before the Magpies fought back after the break. However, the Merseysiders were able to hold on and claim the points.

Again, here are the video highlights for those who missed it. Again, excuse the foreign commentary...

While there will be plenty of eyes on Joe Hart today, his afternoon is sure to be made a lot more difficult with the presence of Romelu Lukaku in attack for Everton. The striker, who is on loan from Chelsea, has added an extra dimension to the Toffees in the final third and is looking to be a superb piece of business for them.

The lads go through their routines on the far side of the pitch #cityveverton #mcfc pic.twitter.com/DAG0v5vZfE — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 5, 2013

One player who Everton are likely to miss today is Gareth Barry. The on-loan midfielder, who is ineligible to play against his parent club, has been a vital player for the Toffees this season.

HEAD TO HEAD: Everton have a narrow edge over Man City if you look at their head-to-head record down the years. The Merseysiders have won 62 of their 161 matches, while Man City have come out on top 59 times. For those a bit dodgy with their mathes, there have been 40 draws.

Everton's record away to Man City has been nothing short of brilliant in the past few years. They've had four wins, one draw and one defeat in their last six trips to the Etihad Stadium. Few teams in the top flight can boast that kind of form.

That draw for Everton came last season when a Carlos Tevez penalty cancelled out Marouane Fellaini's opener as the game ended 1-1.

The players are in the tunnel, ready to emerge onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium. For those who are interested, the weather conditions are fairly moderate. No clear skies, but certainly no threat of rain.

The players are out, the pre-match rituals have been done, and it will be Everton to get this one underway. Here we go!

This has been a very good start for Everton. The visitors are passing the ball around with real intent and have already had a sniff at goal through Lukaku, but Hart was quick off his line to snuff out the danger.

SAVE! First real effort on goal this afternoon goes the way of Man City as Toure's effort from the edge of the box is pushed away by Howard for a corner. However, nothing comes of it for the home side.

CHANCE! Nearly the breakthrough for Man City as a free kick from Kolarov goes inches wide of the post. Some of the home fans thought that was in, much for the amusement of the Everton supporters behind the goal.

Things are certainly a bit more even now between the sides following Everton's strong start. There are some real battles going on for possession in midfield, with a number of players showing no qualms about getting stuck in.

CHANCE! Kolarov has another effort on goal for Man City as his header from a corner flashes over the crossbar. The hosts are just starting to take a bit more control now.

We have the breakthrough and it is Everton with the goal! Lukaku chased a ball over the top before taking it past Lescott and slotting it past Hart. The Man City goalkeeper got a touch on that, but it wasn't enough. First blood to the visitors!

Incredible scenes at the Etihad Stadium as Man City equalise pretty much instantly through Negredo! The Spanish striker was lurking in the penalty area and received the ball off Fernandinho before keeping his cool and placing it past Howard.

Both managers are currently on the touchline looking slightly bemused by what they've just seen.

This really is a full-blooded affair now, with both sides looking to attack as soon as they are in possession. It's breathless stuff at the moment and that is why we love the Premier League.

YELLOW CARD: The first booking of the afternoon goes to Man City captain Kompany after he takes down Lukaku around the half-way line. The Everton striker was threatening to break there.

It must be said that referee Jon Moss is having a bit of a poor game so far. He's blowing up for a lot of minor offences, occasionally hampering the thrilling flow of the action.

CHANCE! Nearly a second goal for Man City as Aguero is picked out cleverly by Silva from a free kick, but the Argentine somehow slides the ball wide of the post when you would have bet your house on him scoring.

As you would imagine, Everton's passing has been superb so far today. Roberto Martinez has really injected some zip into their game and it's showing on a consistent basis now. Instead of whacking the ball forward, they're often playing themselves out of trouble before setting off on another attack.

What a waste of an attack for the visitors. Naismith broke forward at pace before switching the ball out wide to Mirallas. However, the Everton forward had strayed into an offside position. The away side had plenty of bodies up.

SUBSTITUTION: Bad news for Man City as Vincent Kompany is forced off with what looks like a knee problem. He walks gingerly to the touchline before being replaced by Matija Nastasic. That's a big loss for the hosts.

Nastasic's first involvement in breaking up an Everton counter-attack by dispossessing Barkley just inside the box. He had to time the tackle perfectly, and he did. The visitors are still looking dangerous at the moment, though.

Five minutes left of normal time in the half.

Should Everton have a penalty? Lukaku chased the ball down in the Man City area before Nastasic bundled him over while shepherding it out for a goal kick. Looking at the replay, it definitely looked like the defender shoved Lukaku. Hmmm.

It's a fairly simple goal for Man City, but a good one nonetheless as they take the lead through Aguero. The Argentine was slipped in by Silva down the right side before hammering the ball past Howard. That's Aguero at his bullish best.

Three minutes added time.

Referee Jon Moss blows up for half time before calling over James Milner and booking him for a challenge on James McCarthy.

Well, what a superb half of football that was! Man City go into the break with a 2-1 lead, but they had to come from behind to get it. Romelu Lukaku gave Everton the lead before Alvaro Negredo levelled almost instantly. Sergio Aguero then netted late on to put the hosts in the driving seat.

All in all, that was a breathless 45 minutes of Premier League action. Both teams bombed forward at every available opportunity, while there was plenty of chances in front of goal. More of that in the second half, please!

The one big disappointment for Man City in that first half will be Vincent Kompany going off early with what looked like a knee problem. The Belgian is such an influential presence for his side, and we will bring you any news on the injury once we have it.

The players are out for the second half and it will be Man City to get us underway.

Something of a half chance for Man City early on in the second half as Kolarov's delightful cross just misses finding Negredo in the box.

Man City have started this second half very well indeed. They're bombarding Everton at the moment, with the visitors just about hanging in there.

Mirallas will be disappointed with himself there. The Belgian was played through on goal by McCarthy, but a heavy touch was enough for Hart to race off his line and gather the ball. It's pretty frantic stuff at both ends right now.

WHOOSH! Toure works himself some space on the edge of the Everton box, only for the Ivorian to blast his effort well over the crossbar.

Kolarov is down with blood pouring out of his head and he's not happy about it. The Serbian collided with one of his teammates, but not after Naismith had given him a little shove for good measure.

SUBSTITUTION: And that's the end of Kolarov's afternoon. The medics tried to patch him up, but it's not enough. The full-back is replaced by Gael Clichy.

An hour played and this match has lost none of its bite. Both teams continue to give everything out there, and you get the feeling that there's another goal in this one.

SUBSTITUTION: Everton make their first changes of the afternoon as Darron Gibson and Gerard Deulofeu come on for Leon Osman and Kevin Mirallas. As expected, former Manchester United midfielder Gibson gets a spicy reception from the Man City fans.

Zabaleta goes to the touchline for Man City to receive treatment for what looks like a bloody nose.

Everton's attacks have just lost that little bit of menace in the last few minutes. The passing has been lacking, while Man City look to be building up a head of steam.

Man City win a penalty after Coleman is adjudged to have pulled down Zabaleta in the area. It's certainly a soft one as Howard and Distin pick up yellow cards for their protests. However, Aguero steps up and sees his penalty hit the post before bouncing back off Howard and into the net. It's harsh on the goalkeeper.

As it stands, Everton's unbeaten start to the season will be coming to an end. They've put up plenty of fight today, but it doesn't look like it will be enough. Meanwhile, this will be Man City's fourth consecutive home win in the Premier League this season if they close out the match.

YELLOW CARD: Silva goes into the book for a cynical trip on Naismith.

Everton keeper Tim Howard pushed Aguero's penalty on to the post but the ball bounced in off the American. So it's a Howard own goal #MCIEVE — Premier League (@premierleague) October 5, 2013

Looks like Aguero has had that penalty taken away from him...

YELLOW CARD: Zabaleta goes into the book for hacking down Baines on the touchline. However, nothing comes of the free kick.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for each side here as Nasri replaces Aguero for Man City, while Kone is introduced in place of Lukaku for Everton. Meanwhile, Coleman goes into the book for a foul on Silva.

Five minutes of normal time left and, barring something incredible, Man City have all but won this match. It's been a thrilling contest, but it's hard to say that the hosts don't deserve the points.

YELLOW CARD: Naismith is the latest player to go into the book for bringing down Toure when the Ivorian was hoping to break forward.

YELLOW CARD: The NINTH booking of the day goes the way of Fernandinho after the Man City midfielder's trip on Coleman.

Four minutes of added time have been awarded...

Man City are just running down the clock now, passing the ball around and making Everton chase.

The full-time whistle goes, bringing an end to Everton's unbeaten start to the Premier League season and Manchester City claim a 3-1 win. Romelu Lukaku gave the visitors an early lead before Alvaro Negredo, Sergio Aguero and a Tim Howard own goal completed the comeback for the hosts.

Anyway, that's all from me for now but don't forget that we have live text coverage of every Premier League game from this afternoon right here on Sports Mole. So, have a look around, see what takes your fancy and fill your boots. Thank you for your company, and goodbye!