Sunderland 1 Man City 2

Manchester City`s Darius Vassell stole the three points for City, his scuffed shot trickled passed the despairing Sunderland defense and in to back of the net.

Sunderland can feel aggrieved by a penalty decision that should never have gifted City the lead in the first place.

Sunderland were the dominant side in this encounter and looked the most likely winners.

Sunderland`s first chance came when Richardson`s through ball found Jones. Jones bustling past Dunne only for Hart to be equal to his low shot.

Murphy had Sunderland`s next chance but his shot was high and wide.

Then totally against the run of play Referee Riley pointed to the spot and booked Nosworthy when clearly the big defender was nowhere near the diving Sturridge.

Elano tucked away the resulting penalty to give City an undeserved lead.

Whitehead leveled shortly after with delightful volley into the top corner after Reid had supplied the cross.

Darius Vassell then scored City`s winner.

Craig Gordon then pulled a great double save first to deny Petrov`s free kick and then Benjani who was lurking to get on the end of the parried save.

All in all Sunderland will look on this game as three points dropped as they were the best team for most of the match and City only seemed to play well in the last ten minutes.


Sunderland Line Up 4-4-2

Gordon 7
Bardsley 7
Nosworthy 7
Evans 7
Collins 7
Chopra 8 (O`Donovan 6)
Whitehead 7
Reid 7
Richardson 5 (Leadbitter 6)
Murphy 6 (Edwards 6)
Jones 7


Subs not used

Fulop
McShane

Michael Chopra - An excellent performance out on the right wing and looked even better when moved upfront with Jones. Sunderland were robbed yet again by a poor refereeing decision. Sunderland were at least worthy of half the spoils if not all of them.

Now we look to the local derbies with Newcastle and Boro and hopefully six points.

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