MCFC v Sunderland (1245 GMT)

Line-up

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Richards, Lescott, Milner, Barry, Silva, Y Toure, Balotelli, Tevez. Subs: Clichy, K Toure, Rodwell, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko, Pantilimon.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Rose, Cuellar, O'Shea, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher. Subs: Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Bramble, Saha, Westwood.

Referee: Lee Probert

Match Report

1st half

Clear autumn sky seemed perfect day for football. Unfortunately the match itself didn't level the weather itself. though City cruised the 1st half with ease, due to lack of threat from Sunderland made it even easier.

It was City started with goal, when Tevez was poorly challenged by cuellar just outside of the penalty box. Mario Balotelli and Alexandr Kolarov once again stood and discussed who should take it. It was Kolarov who took it and found left top corner of goal. He now scored 3 times from free-kick spot

Courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook

Then Sunderland had one of few meaningful attack of 1st half, when they got deflected free-kick from outside the box, which then volleyed by Stephan Sessegnon. Although it did not threat Joe Hart at any level, it was not a bad attempt for Beninese international.

There were few occasions where Mario Balotelli and Craig Gardner collided against each other. Most of them were unintentional foul from Gardner's half and Balotelli didn't react that badly as last season.

1st half itself was dull and boring as both sides cancelled each others out. Numerous criticisms were made after Dortmund match but nothing changed in performance wise. Lacking passing accuracy was usual repertoire, positioning looked poor throughout the 1st half. Let's hope for improvement in the 2nd half.

2nd Half 

The team turned inside out in team-talk at the break. Scoring 2 goals were ordinary thing for City, but in the manner of doing so was exquisite 

Second half did not start well for City though, as Barry lost the ball in the middle of the park which allowed Sebastian Larsson to find Steven Fletcher in the box. Luckily Hart saved it but the mood could have swung towards Sunderland if that would have got in.

From that point onward, it was City all the way. Chance after chance, only if they executed them precisely, the score margin could have been larger. 

Courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook

The turning point was substitution ironically. Although Mario Balotelli was trying best to score, his style seemed against City's run of play. Then Sergio Aguero came in and whole thing changed around. City's attacking department suddenly clicked and eventually at 58th minute, Sergio Aguero scored from Alexandr Kolarov's well-timed cross. 

The domination continued until the end of the match and Sunderland seemed powerless to neutralize City's fire power. At 89th minute, Milner's ferocious free kick goal rounded up City's great 2nd half performance and Mignolet seemed relieved to hear the final whistle of the match. 

First cleansheet for City and Joe Hart and unbeaten record continues. Hopefully the season gets better from this match. 

Final Score: Manchester City 3 Sunderland 0

Man of the match: Alexandr Kolarov for being consistent threat throughout the match.