Premier League: Manchester City outclass Sunderland to win 4-1 at Stadium of Light

Premier League: Manchester City outclass Sunderland to win 4-1 at Stadium of Light

Manchester City remained in contact with leaders Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Sunderland.

The champions did not have all their own way in the first half and were made to come by behind after Connor Wickham deflected Pablo Zabaleta attack beyond Joe Hart to hand the hosts a lead of the 19th minute.

Sergio Aguero is to new turned out to be that figure the source of inspiration for the city, by firing home the equalizer in emphatic style within the space of a few minutes before setting up Stevan Jovetic second five minutes from the entrance to the visitors before half-time.

Chip nonchalant Zabaleta beyond Costel Pantilimon to Sunderland 10 minutes after the break, followed by the second 15 minutes later, Aguero sealed the three points for Manuel Pellegrini side who stay six points behind Chelsea at the top of the table.

City looked like they meant business from the start with Jesus Navas sent in a cross that eluded boot extent of Aguero by inches with less than four minutes on the clock.

Unfazed by the dominance of their opponents in the opening exchanges, Sunderland had the first real opening of the match. Will Buckley, who replaced the former wing of city Adam Johnson, ran into space on the right and crossed for Jack Rodwell whose shot was blocked by Zabaleta in the area of the city - the old man in the town would have been disappointed with his tame effort.

Sunderland then grabbed a shock 19th minute lead when Sebastian Larsson threaded the ball in the direction of Wickham and despite Zabaleta, getting his foot on the ball first, it could only deflect into the net off the coast of the attacker.

Sunderland celebrations lasted just a matter of minutes as City went in search of the immediate Equalization - and their striker Aguero due regard.

Assists Fernandinho exchanged with Yaya Touré and Brazilian midfielder played back to Aguero who after having collected the ball and the over-indulgence nutmegging precipitate Sebastian Coates, has triggered a fierce strike which has nestled in the back of net Pantilimon before you have a chance to set his foot.

The city's goal gave a confident with Touré air orchestrating the game for large spells - and his incisive through-ball to Aguero on the edge of the box led to the city its second.

After the rally, the Argentina played a movie in the path of Jovetic - which pierced with gratitude the second under point-blank Pantilimon from his team.

Sunderland struggled to create much in the city, half, but they are always close in extra-time in the first half when a Larsson corner found the head of Rodwell. In the melee that follows, the hosts had a penalty for handball shout against Fernandinho turned down.

City were in the cruise control at the beginning of the second half, and after 10 minutes in which they spent the exquisite ball, they extended their lead in another goal worked well in the 55th minute.

Samir Nasi picked up a short pass on the right side of the Sunderland box and fed Zabaleta, who produced a smart little clever to challenge the John O'Shea furious and beat Pantilimon put City 3-1 up.

Guests were given more of an opportunity to imprison a few moves, as the sitting outside back, but the rear guard of the city, which had shown signs of weakness in the early stages, faces every effort, comfortably.

And wrapped Aguero for a sensational individual performance at the 71st minute when he was caught by city substitute James Milner and turned to coax the ball past Pantilimon complete the game and finally ends their sorry run of four consecutive defeats 1-0 at the stadium of light.

City cemented their position as rivals of principal of Chelsea, while Sunderland failed to capitalize on the positive outcome of Saturday against Chelsea and are 14th in the table.

Verdict of Neil Mellor

"I was really impressed with the overall performance, but it was a fragile start of the city. Sunderland started better and got in their faces, but at the end of the game trust was in command of the city. If Aguero is fit then you would want city someone give a game. You want a bit of magic in the last third and city that have with Aguero. It is superb. »

Player ratings:

Sunderland: Pantilimon (5), Vergini (4), O'Shea (5), Coates (5), Réveillère (4), Cattermole (6), Wickham (5), Larsson (7), Rodwell (5), Buckley) 6), Fletcher (5).

Used subs: Alvarez (5), Altidore (5).

Man City: Hart (6), Zabaleta (7), Silva (7), Demichelis (6), Clichy (6), Navas (5), Touré (6), Fernandinho (5), Jovetic (6), Nagy (6), Agüero (8).

Used subs: Milner (5), Lampard (4), Pozo (3).

Man of the Match: Sergio Aguero

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