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Summary Manchester City opened their Premier League title defense with a 3-2 win against Southampton.
Manchester City fought back after a second-half collapse against Southampton to open its title defense with a 3-2 victory against the Premier League newcomers on Sunday.Substitutes Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis put a dogged Southampton side 2-1 in front and wipe out Carlos Tevezs opener for City.But Samir Nasri spared City from an opening weekend upset by scoring an 80th-minute winner following Edin Dzekos equalizer.We showed great character, Nasri told Sky Sports television. We didnt panic.Chelsea had no such troubles overcoming Wigan in Sundays other match.New signing Eden Hazard made an immediate impact, setting up Branislav Ivanovics opener and winning the penalty from which Frank Lampard converted to clinch a 2-0 victory.For City, the new season picked up where the last one ended for pulsating drama at Etihad Stadium. A 3-2 victory in May against Queens Park Rangers secured in the final seconds ended Citys 44-year title drought.It was like the last game of the season, weve started the same and I hope at the end it will be the same result for us, Nasri said.Although City didnt leave it until stoppage time on Sunday to produce the winner, manager Roberto Mancini hopes every game wont be as tough.
