What happened...
City started brightly, seeking an early advantage and finding plenty of joy down the left-hand side, through Jeremie Frimpong and Ian Poveda.
The latter almost set up Joe Hardy within the first two minutes, but his shot deflected into the arms of Michael Wood. The Black Cats’ respite would be short-lived however.
Within a minute, the deadlock was broken. Poveda and Frimpong were involved again, and crossed for Lorenzo Gonzalez to clip into the bottom corner.
Michael Woud in the Sunderland goal then did well to deny Tom Dele-Bashiru and Gonzalez, before the Blues doubled their lead on 24 minutes.
A period of sustained pressure on the visitors’ goal provided several opportunities to pull the trigger; in the end, the ball found Poveda, who squared for Gonzalez to smash home his and City’s second.
City had chances to extend their lead but Woud stood firm to thwart Phil Foden and then Poveda.
After the break, the hosts continued where they left off but took things down a gear.
Hardy almost made it 3-0 but again, found Woud in good form.
Sunderland enjoyed a brief spell of possession around the hour mark but never really tested Aro Muric in the City goal.
Hardy then chipped wide when put through in the last major action of the game, and City ran out 2-0 victors.
WANT TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST EDS AND ACADEMY NEWS? Follow the new official Twitter account, @ManCityAcademy.
What it means...
City stay top of the Under-18 Premier League, with 40 points from 16 games.
The Blues are back in action for the FA Youth Cup clash against Liverpool on Wednesday 18 January (7pm). Tickets can be purchased here.
Key moment...
The opener – From the moment City broke the deadlock, the result never looked in doubt.
The Blues had already laid siege on the Sunderland goal and their fourth minute goal, put them in the ascendancy of which they never surrendered. The Black Cats hardly had a sniff.
Man of the match....
Ian Poveda – At the heart of the Blues’ best attacking moves and involved in both first-half goals, Poveda was also unfortunate not to find the scoresheet himself.
Also willing to do the dirty work, the winger won back possession on numerous occasions and his trickery and quick feet were dazzling.
How they lined up...
City XI: Muric, Frimpong, Rosler, Latibeaudiere (c), Smith, Pozo, Foden, Dele Bashiru, Poveda, Hardy, Gonzalez.
Subs: Sokol, Ogbeta, Richards, Ogunby.
Sunderland XI: Wood, Taylor, Krusnell, Allan, Storey, Young, Kimpioka, Gamble, Diamond, Connelly, McAughtrie.
Subs: Howard, Best, Stack, Hackett.
