Match Report

Claudio Reyna is back as City look to compound the Black Cats’ misery and do the double over Mick McCarthy’s side after a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light early on in the season.

And despite being rooted to the bottom of the table Sunderland fans have travelled in large numbers to back their boys. The support didn’t help as City were making all the early running.

Indeed City didn’t need to wait long for the breakthrough and it was a Sunderland mistake to blame. Georgios Samaras dispossessed Danny Collins and lashed the ball home from a tight angle. A great start for both him and the Blues after just eight minutes.

It was to get even better just two minutes later. After two goals in two games for Greece, ‘Sam’ made it two in two minutes here, a fine left foot volley doubling the lead after Sinclair’s ball in from the right.

City went for more goals but it was to be the visitors claiming the next goal of the game. Julio Arca’s free kick was headed back across goal by Breen before being slid home from barely a yard out by Kevin Kyle after 24 minutes to bring the Black Cats back in to it.

The game was a much more even one as we passed the half hour mark, and despite the early goals, City needed to score the game’s next one.

Dean Whitehead was booked after 34 minutes for a bad tackle on Albert Riera as the Spaniard threatened to get into a good position.

Riera himself and Breen were booked five minutes later for going head to head (literally) both players not backing down and ending up in Mr Foy’s little black book.

In the last action of the half, Riera unleashed a fierce 20-yard drive, which just flew over Davis’ bar.

So on reflection, it had been a very lively first half and there could have been a few more goals in it. As stands though three goals and three bookings - City edging the goal count and Sunderland leading the yellow card count.

HALF TIME: City 2-1 Sunderland

No substitutions at the break for either side as McCarthy’s men could head into the second half with the knowledge that they were never completely out of the game after big Sam’s double within the first ten minutes.

The first real action of the half though was for the referee to produce another yellow card to a Sunderland player. This time Rory Delap the recipient.

After ten minutes of the second half it was end to end. A real cup tie feel to the game as the Black Cats fought tooth and nail to get a leveller and City to get that vital third goal.

Both teams made their first changes on the hour mark. Sun Jihai replaced Riera, while for Sunderland Lawrence came on for Delap.

Just two minutes after the change came the next City break, and Samaras released Vassell, who’s well-hit shot was beaten away by Kelvin Davis.

The nerves were noticeable now both on the pitch and in the stands and moreso after 65 minutes. Nosworthy’s run and cross should have been tucked away by Whitehead from just six-yards out, but luckily it caught him on the hop and the ball went wide.

Bradley Wright-Phillips came on after 68 minutes as City’s need for that third goal grew. The game was still in the balance despite City’s lead and it could have been put to bed on 75 minutes as Micah Richards was clattered by Davis inside the box - the referee not giving the penalty the crowd and Stuart Pearce had bayed for.

City brought Reyna off after 81 minutes of his comeback - Stephen Ireland replaced him fresh from his first performance for the Irish national side in midweek. Sunderland themselves made a last throw of the dice by bringing on two frontmen in Le Tallec and Stead.

After forcing a chance from a free kick, Sunderland were then reduced to ten men. Captain Gary Breen produced a moment of stupidity attempting to save David James’ subsequent throw with both hands! Mr Foy immediately reached for the second yellow and all the pressure Sunderland had put City under could now be released with the Blues having the extra man.

Despite Sunderland’s best efforts City held out and claimed all three vital points to leave them ninth in the Premier League and well in the hunt for European football.

FULL TIME: City 2-1 Sunderland