Despite falling behind, two goals in each half from Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic, Pablo Zabaleta and Aguero again secured a mesmerising 4-1 win for the champions who sent out a powerful message to the rest of the Premier League that the title race is well and truly on.
The Blues will now look to turn the heat up on Chelsea with the busy festive period offering the chance to eat away at the Pensioners’ six-point lead.
So could City’s stellar talents perform on a freezing night in the north-east? The Blues’ much-publicised recent record at the Stadium of Light suggested this might indeed be a tricky encounter.
Before the match kicked off, Adam Johnson had been the last City player to score away to Sunderland and some four-and-a-half years and 360 minutes had passed without a goal since
...Sunderland 1 City 4...
The Black Cats’ defensive rear-guard action against Chelsea last Saturday suggested Gus Poyet would adopt a similar suffocating formation against the champions – perhaps in the hope of nicking a fifth straight 1-0 victory.
Injury and suspension meant skipper Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala both missed the trip to Wearside with Martin Demichelis and Dedryck Boyata stepping in to fill the sizeable void.
The Blues had the chance to break the deadlock after just three minutes as Jesus Navas sent an inviting low ball into the six-yard box where Jovetic was just inches away from connecting.
Sunderland responded with a golden chance to edge ahead just two minutes later when Will Buckley broke clear and squared the ball to Jack Rodwell, but the former City midfielder saw his weak shot blocked by Zabaleta.
The hosts, however, didn’t waste their second opportunity on 19 minutes and it seemed the Black Cats curse was set to strike yet again.
Connor Wickham won the ball in midfield before playing a one-two with Sebastian Larsson and as Zabaleta’s challenge came in, the ball cruelly bounced off Wickham’s shins and past the approaching Joe Hart into the net.
City responded immediately with a goal that will once again have the pundits purring as man-of-the-moment Aguero collected the ball 25 yards from goal before nutmegging Coates and thundering the ball past Costel Pantilimon for his 18th of the season.
It was a goal out of nothing and the sort only a truly world class striker is capable of
...Sunderland 1 City 4...
City’s pressing tactics reduced Sunderland to the odd counter-attack and numerous mis-placed passes and the champions ominously shifted up a gear and went looking for a second their display thus far had merited.
On 38 minutes, the Blues finally took the lead and inevitably, Aguero was pivotal yet again as a 30-pass move suddenly exploded into life with Yaya Toure driving the ball into Kun’s feet and his delicate flick presented Jovetic with a chance to drill a shot through Pantilimon’s legs.
The early season wobbles suddenly seemed a long way away with City really starting to build up a real head of steam and the dominance continued after the break with some of the football truly sublime and it was no surprise when, nine minutes after the re-start, the Blues increased their lead.
It was goal that oozed class and confidence with Samir Nasri lifting a peach of a pass to Zabaleta who drew Pantilimon off his line before deftly lifting the ball over the Romanian and into the net – cue father-to-be celebration from the fans’ idol!
He doesn’t score that often, but when he does, it’s well worth the wait. Anything Gael Clichy can do…
...Sunderland 1 City 4...
And as if exorcising evil spirits, the Blues went sniffing for blood as Gus Poyet’s mortally wounded side attempted to repel the champions relentless attacks but it was futile – in this mood, it was simply a case of when rather than if there would be a fourth goal.
It came on 74 minutes and, in keeping with this majestic display, it was another superb team goal ending with James Milner’s low cross being converted by Aguero who flicked the ball in via the post to complete the rout.
Even a late appearance by Spiderman couldn’t save the home team who needed more than a super hero by that point. Sunderland had been out-thought, out-played and out-classed by a City side that are beginning to look as good, if not better, than the team that clinched the title last season.
