City’s visit to Villa Park should have been all about measuring just how far the club has come to breaking into the Top Four outright against a steely and often resilient Aston Villa led by the irrepressible Martin O’Neill. Instead, it was a battle of wits and proving a point for both Richard Dunne and Gareth Barry, the two former captains who were both facing their old teams for the first time since their much-debated transfers.

The contrast couldn’t have been more diverse: Dunne was greeted with a heroes reception from the thankful travelling City fans who recognized and acknowledged his contribution to the Manchester club throughout his dedicated career. It came with no great surprise that Barry’s welcome back to Villa Park was far more hostile, with the 28 year-old being subjected to constant torrents of abuse and money-waving, with his summer move to City still having left a sour taste in many Villa fans’ mouths.

But it was Dunne who had the last laugh: the Republic of Ireland defender out-jumped, ironically, Barry to head Villa into an early lead before in-form Craig Bellamy netted his eighth goal in 13 appearances for City to equalize and grab a point for Mark Hughes in a tight and vigorous encounter. Dunne played a blinder for the 90 minutes and was superb at the heart of the Villa defence, with Barry putting in a nervous and somewhat mediocre performance in City’s midfield.

Villa were quick to close City down, preventing any free-flowing moves with constant waves of determined blocks, stopping City from countering in their usual menacing style. The home side broke the deadlock when Dunne climbed above Barry to head home an inswinging corner from Stephen Warnock, followed respectfully with an understated and muted celebration. The home team limited City’s attacking options but Brad Friedel was forced to tip over a header from Emmanuel Adebayor on the stroke of half time.

After the break Hughes introduced Stephen Ireland who made a significant difference, offering a fresh option to the City attack. But it was Dunne who nearly extended Villa’s lead but his header from a James Milner corner went just wide of the post. City continued to pile on the pressure with a succession of corners and the equalizer seemed inevitable. Ireland and Adebayor combined to set up Bellamy who blasted the ball into the net to level the tie. It was the very least that City had deserved after a spell of dominant possession.

Mark Hughes headed back to Manchester with a point and plenty to think about. City fought well but were once again questionable when defending set pieces and looked unbalanced, with Bellamy thriving on the left but Shaun Wright-Phillips struggling to beat men on the right. But Villa proved tricky opponents and a point in the circumstances was well warranted. After the international break, City face an unpredictable trip to the DW Stadium to face a somewhat ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ Wigan Athletic side. Which team will perform for Roberto Martinez: the team that beat Chelsea 3-1 or lost to United 5-0 at home?

It was cool, it was calm and it was definitely collected. I could be talking about Carlos Tevez’s first goal celebration or City’s overall performance during the 90 minutes. But surely the time is now to take the Eastlands outfit seriously after the sides’ comprehensive 3-1 victory against West Ham.

In fact it was far easier than perhaps had been forecast. Mark Hughes’ blues were looking to bounce straight back from their heartbreaking last-gasp Derby day defeat, Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers looking for only their second Premier League victory this season. City striker Tevez was facing a former team for the second league game in a row- and return to haunt them he most definitely did with a brace, sandwiched around a classy free kick from Martin Petrov.

The 3-1 score-line didn’t reflect City’s dominance throughout the 90 minutes. Tevez’s first goal, set up well by Petrov, was met by the Argentinian apologising to the travelling West Ham fans who had been so grateful of his goals that had saved them from relegation. That goal should have proved to be the precedent for City to move on and storm the match, but Carlton Cole had different ideas. A ball through from Radoslav Kovac set Cole up for a simple equaliser. The Irons then had a chance to take the lead but Scott Parker’s goal was disallowed after the referee had blown for a foul by Cole on Joleon Lescott.

It was all City from that moment on. A foul on the in-form Nigel De Jong gave Petrov a chance to find the net- an opportunity that proved too tempting to resist. The Bulgarian, disheartened at a lack of first-team football, seemed to channel his frustration and anger through his shot and drilled the ball low to give City the lead. He ran straight over to the dug-out and pointed vigorously at the back of his shirt. Point made.

Tevez, Lescott and Bellamy all had chances to extend the lead and it was Tevez who scored City’s third on the hour mark with a simple header. The one-way traffic continued with Gareth Barry and Petrov enjoying shooting practise. With 15 minutes to go, Hughes introduced Roque Santa Cruz to the City faithful for his debut. Michael Johnson, another graduate of City’s youth academy, was also brought on as a substitute as the minutes ticked away.

Although West Ham aren’t a club that are at a level that City see themselves competing at, it was a sublimely confident and assured performance by the Eastlands club. With Emmanuel Adebayor coming back from his suspension and Santa Cruz gaining match fitness, the current top four have every reason to be wary and afraid. The new-look City are shaking up the status quo and bringing a different dimension to the somewhat stale and predictable order of the Premier League. Next up is another test and one that should provide a more realistic challenge- Aston Villa away.

Mark Hughes’ new-look Manchester City have had it all their own way so far this season. Three consistent victories with clean sheets had thrust City into the driving seat, heading towards their top four target. But Hughes and City fans alike had earmarked the visit of Arsenal to Eastlands as their first stern test, a challenge to see just how far they had come to really competing with the big boys.

In the lead-up to the game, the blues’ innovative marketing division had splashed specially designed cartoon-style pictures of former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor across the city centre as part of their ‘top four’ intimidation efforts. Adebayor had spoken out after the Portsmouth game saying that ‘he wanted to repay the faith and love’ that City had shown him. The script had already been written, but would Adebayor be able to play the leading role or would he be cast as the villain?

He managed to pull off both. Not only did he get on the score-sheet, but his behaviour and antics during the 90 minutes have attracted an unprecedented amount of both criticism and column inches. It seems that everybody has got an opinion on both the tackles that Adebayor issued on Robin Van Persie and his goal celebration, when he ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of his former fans. What people have failed to mention is the torrents of racist abuse that Adebayor was forced to endure during both the pre-match warm-up and throughout the game from the Arsenal fans. They incited the reaction and it was the travelling fans who charged down towards the pitch and Adebayor and threw objects. The fans shouldn’t give the abuse if they are not willing to tolerate any form of response. Banter is part of the game.

Where is the line drawn? Will players get banned from celebrating all together in fear of the response they will receive from away fans? Wayne Rooney kissing the United badge in front of Everton fans, Gary Neville flaunting himself in front of furious Liverpool fans, Thierry Henry running the length of the pitch to celebrate before Tottenham Hotspur fans. Even the recent flag-waving antics of Nathan Tyson for Nottingham Forest in front of despairing Derby fans...football fans will always give players abuse and torment, that is just part of the game, but should they react with such fury when, on the odd occasion, a player turns the tables and basks in his glory as a way of revenge.

The Togo striker receives an incredible wage for his job and with that does come a responsibility to compose himself both on and off the pitch. He has issues with how he was treated during his time at Arsenal and that should have been left off the pitch. He should have taken the upper hand and been a true professional, but the celebration was a gut reaction, one that he has since apologised for. If the F.A. were to ban him then it should be as a response to the Van Persie incident alone. The referee Mark Clattenburg issued a yellow card as a result of the celebration- it should be left at that.

Does anybody remember that City actually won the game 4-2? Or has the game and score-line been completely and ridiculously over-shadowed by the Adebayor witch-hunt? City produced a performance that showed just how they have managed to find the balance of grit and flair quite wonderfully. The strength of Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong in the heart of midfield worked quite sublimely with the fire and dedication of Craig Bellamy, who battled hard from defence to attack and was more than worthy of his goal. Both Micah Richards and Shaun Wright-Phillips worked hard down the right to create chances and Kolo Toure was a rock in the heart of the City defence, showing Arsenal exactly what they are missing. Despite all of the Gunners’ flair, they struggled to defend competently and this proved to be their ultimate downfall.

City took the lead in the first-half after a Richards’ header rebounded into the net off Manuel Almunia and maintained that lead going into the break. Arsenal came out all guns blazing and grabbed an equaliser when Van Persie slotted the ball home neatly past Shay Given. But City remained tenacious and Joleon Lescott’s tackle on Gael Clichy was the catalyst for Wright-Phillips and Richards to combine, squaring the ball to Bellamy who calmly finished off the move to give City the advantage. Wright-Phillips and Adebayor then added to the tally and Tomas Rosicky provided a late consolation for Arsene Wenger.

Some City fans may suggest that the score-line flattered their side, but the message it sends out to the rest of the Premier League is four wins in four games. Four times that Adebayor has appeared on the score-sheet. The first real challenge, Arsenal, was vanquished in style. The next, a visit to Old Trafford, may prove to be much trickier, even more so if the F.A. issue Adebayor with a ban that is effective immediately.

After enduring a torrent of counter attacks from a determined and resolute Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park on Thursday night and pulling through with a 2-0 victory, Manchester City arrived at Fratton Park unbeaten. With Portmouth’s new owner Sulhaiman Al-Fahim watching from the stands clad in a replica shirt, you couldn’t help but wonder if secretly he was wishing that he had played a more significant role in the visiting team’s takeover.

Brimming with talent and swagger, City walked up and barely had to break into top gear. Mark Hughes had recognised that Robinho was continuing to suffer from travel sickness, opting to replace the Brazilian’s flair with the steel and grit of Craig Bellamy, a move that paid dividends. With the saga of the Joleon Lescott transfer finally resolved, the 27 year-old made his first Premier League start for City in defence- and didn’t disappoint, putting in a solid performance.

Portsmouth were resilient and could have imposed more of a foot-hold on the game due to City voluntarily sacrificing possession too often, something surely for Hughes to work on in training. But when they had the ball, the visitors looked confident and assured. The goal came half an hour into the match, when Gareth Barry’s dangerous corner was met by Adebayor, who headed home to make it three goals in three Premier League starts for his new club.

Hughes’ blues almost made it two, but Micah Richards’ effort was ruled offside. The defender was also substituted on the hour mark after locking his left leg, allowing Pablo Zabaleta to figure for the first time during the current campaign. Adebayor went close again, only for his shot to be saved by Asmir Begovic.

Portsmouth pushed for the equaliser, introducing both John Utaka and David Nugent into the game late on, but when Nugent went one-on-one with Given and scuffed his shot in injury time, it was obvious that City would be heading back up north with their unbeaten record intact.

After the game, Hughes was quick to heap praise on City’s three-in-three goal-scoring menace Adebayor.

"It's clear to see he is happy where he is," said Hughes. "He's enjoying playing with good players again and the fans love him. That maybe was missing from his life before.

"He's enjoying the team he's in. He could be at the start of something special and wants to play a big part in that."

It will certainly be interesting to see if Adebayor continues his current goal-scoring streak when his former side Arsenal visit Eastlands on the 12^th. Although there’s a lot more to the Togo striker’s game than just scoring: he helps out all over the field and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty in defence. Who would bet against him coming back to haunt Arsene Wenger in City’s quest to break into the top four. Certainly not me...

Sometimes it’s quite difficult to write about football without dropping in a couple of clichés, but I think I can get away with ‘a game of two halves’ in this article. Manchester City arrived onto the pitch at Eastlands in front of a spectacular sell-out crowd in the blazing northern sunshine; the air was filled with anticipation and excitement. The dawn of a new blue era was upon the City faithful- and the debut fixture at home against Wolves was one of the hottest seats in town.

City’s new superstars featured across the pitch: Kolo Toure started in defence with Gareth Barry controlling the midfield and the daunting duo of Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez started upfront. Within minutes of the kick-off, Wolves looked more like rabbits caught in the headlights. Wave upon wave of City attack stunned the visitors and it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken. Tevez provided the assist for Adebayor to slot the ball home clinically past Wayne Hennessey.

Mark Hughes’ men could have been five up before the interval, such was the dominance of City, with chances going amiss for Robinho, Tevez, Barry and Adebayor. But the one-goal lead was always slender and Shay Given kept the advantage intact with a superb save just before the break from Matthew Jarvis.

It was a warning shot that, despite the complete dominance and unequivocal possession statistics that favoured the home side, the lead was precarious. More chances came and went for City from Stephen Ireland and Adebayor, and Robinho even put the ball in the net but it was ruled out for off-side. But Wolves came back to bite with a vengeance that almost made City rue their plethora of missed chances when Andy Keogh’s stinging effort crashed off the crossbar. Mick McCarthy’s team finished with a flourish that had the substantial home crowd biting their fingernails, as has been the case so many times in the past, but they couldn’t find the equaliser.

Garry Cook had mentioned during the summer that he wanted to dispel the popular saying ‘typical City’ from the club. But as I walked out of the City of Manchester Stadium, that’s all I could hear being uttered around me. ‘Typical City’, we almost threw away two points despite the vast quantity of chances throughout the 90 minutes. The faces on the pitch may have changed, but the game should have been comprehensively killed off. But that was City’s fourth win on the bounce (counting victories against Celtic and Barcelona), and the third clean sheet in a row. Consistency was certainly hard to come by last year...could it have finally been found?

 

Sam Allardyce’s Blackurn Rovers side can be both stubborn and tenacious and shouldn’t really be underestimated. City’s visit to Ewood Park could have posed a potential banana skin, but instead proved to be an excellent start to the season. Not only was the 2-0 victory a clean sheet away from home, but it also demonstrated how crucial a number of Mark Hughes’ summer investments will be throughout the season and beyond.

Gareth Barry had an excellent game in midfield, providing an important steel to the front of City’s defence and also linking up well in attack when the blues countered. Kolo Toure was partnered in the heart of defence with Richard Dunne and together they both had a superb 90 minutes, frustrating Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy with their steely presence and stubborn work ethic. Emmanuel Adebayor’s goal was further evidence of the quality of football that City’s new faces are capable of achieving. Although the partnership with Craig Bellamy was a slight mis-match, Hughes will be able to experiment and discover which two target men are best upfront and Adebayor will be only too happy to add to that welcome selection headache.

Carlos Tevez left the Stretford side of Manchester for guaranteed first-team football at City but started from the bench, with Hughes still aware of his lack of match fitness. Yet when he replaced Robinho, who played well but still seems to suffer from travel sickness, Tevez looked sharp, effective and industrious. The new boys all certainly impressed and their presence and calibre combined fluidly with the relative ‘old boys’. Stephen Ireland, City’s reigning Player of the Season looked just as impressive and sealed the victory with a composed and assured goal.

The overall performance, particularly the second half, was clinical and comprehensive. The visitors were forced to withstand attacks from Allardyce’s men, but never particularly looked on the ropes. It was a vast improvement from last season’s calamitous away days, with City looking confident, combining the important elements of steel and flair to full effect. Shay Given pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to protect his side’s clean sheet and the question that City fans will want answering now is whether that all-important consistency can be achieved, and maintained.

The Manchester derby is always interesting and somewhat unpredictable and this one was to be no different. City went into the game on the back of a four match unbeaten run with United having just demolished Arsenal in the Champions League semis. With Mark Hughes at the helm in the blue camp, facing former manager Alex Ferguson in a derby was always going to pose an interesting face-off.  Hughes had spoken in the run-up to the game about ‘spoiling the party’- actions speak louder than words and it was down to his troops to go to battle. With a place in Europe up for grabs and the chance to make the title race interesting again, the stage was set for a classic derby encounter at Old Trafford.

If only it had have been. The match turned out to be a disappointment and, in all fairness, was over before half time. It didn’t really feel like a derby day; the match lacked the passion, controversy and carnival frivolities that are generally associated with same-city clashes. Stephen Ireland seemed to be the only City player fired up, but his exuberance resulted in misplaced passes and questionable tackles. Robinho really didn’t get the chance to make any impact on the game- that was until his chance early in the second half. With a through ball from Nigel De Jong, the Brazilian showed excellent control but blasted inexplicably wide from eight yards out with the goal at his mercy.

The game itself started quite evenly, with both teams enjoying spells of possession. However, City’s passing was often sloppy and intercepted, with Elano proving to be a main culprit. But City were just beginning to enjoy a consistent spell of passes when a free kick was awarded for Ireland’s tackle on Dimitar Berbatov. It was in perfect Ronaldo territory, 25 yards from goal, and he duly scored, albeit it took a deflection on its way into the net.

That swung the momentum back into the home side’s favour. Carlos Tevez, who was inspirational and clearly wanted to make an impression in time for the summer transfer market, hit the post before Berbatov set him up for an effort that flew into the net off the post minutes before half-time.

After the break City came out determined, but as soon as Robinho somehow missed a sitter, it became obvious that the two-goal deficit was a bridge too far for City. But the blues can take positives from the game: Wayne Bridge and Richard Dunne looked improved and De Jong put in a solid performance. But the likes of Elano, Ireland and Robinho struggled against a resolute United defence; Hughes needs to question playing Felipe Caicedo in a lone striker role as the Ecuadorian would surely benefit greatly from having a partner upfront.

The result leaves United in pole position to claim yet another Premier League title and City having to rely on other results if Hughes’ blues are to be back in Europe next season.

Robinho broke his goal drought in spectacular style with a sublime volley to fire City ahead during the club's 4-2 thriller against West Bromwich Albion.

The Brazilian hadn't scored this year until a pinpoint cross from Stephen Ireland fell to his feet. Robinho struck the ball immediately- and his crisp volley fired into the back of the net to give City the lead.

Nedum Onuoha's header from a corner made it 2-0 before Chris Brunt pulled one back for the relegation-threated visitors just before the interval.

Brunt struck again just after the break to level the match but almost immediately Elano scored from a penalty to gave City the advantage again.

The Baggies were desperate to get back in the game and pushed forward for an equaliser, but their attacking left them exposed at the back. Substitute Daniel Sturridge made the three points certain for City in injury time with a tap in goal.

The score-line flattered City during a game where some of Mark Hughes' blues looked lethargic and, at times, very sloppy. Wayne Bridge and Richard Dunne were exposed regularly and a couple of times Dunne was forced to make last-ditch tackles to make up for his earlier errors. Even Vincent Kompany seemed out-of-sorts and consistently surrendered possession.

City's main threat came from their creative players. The likes of Ireland, Robinho and Elano looked lively and, during various attacks in the game, a potent threat. Ireland's work-rate is tireless; always searching for an opening or an opportunity, he always gives the team options and is a huge influence in the middle of the park.

Robinho looks to be finding his form again after a damp squib and his fellow country-man Elano hit the spot again with a penalty.

West Brom deserve credit though- they worked constantly to add pressure and expose City's weaknesses. The score-line wasn't really a fair reflection of the game and Tony Mowbray will feel aggrieved to be going back to the Hawthorns empty-handed. But the visitors did have plenty of chances to score, with poor finishing letting them down. Any chances created needed to be taken- and they wasn't.

After the Hamburg game on Thursday, this was always going to be a bit of an anti-climax. But in reality the game turned out to be a bit of a thriller, despite City looking lacklustre and very tired in the final quarter.

 

Martin Petrov had another appearance in the second half and looked a threat with his lightning-fast late charge during the final 10 minutes. Perhaps with a bit of match fitness and confidence he would have buried his chance. Sturridge got on the score-sheet again but didn't celebrate his goal, maybe suggesting that his future lies elsewhere after recent contract talks had stalled.

With City four points behind West Ham in the race for the final spot for Europe, the run-in will now be very interesting. City's next game, against Everton on Saturday, will prove crucial if Hughes' men are to qualify. They will have to overcome a sustained bout of travel sickness if they are to pick up anything from Goodison Park against a David Moyes' side that are still riding on a euphoric tidal wave having just secured an F.A. Cup Final spot and virtually cemented their place in Europe next season. It will be a very intriguing 90 minutes of football between the blues that's for sure.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

So...a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Fulham and chaos all around the City of Manchester Stadium. A manager that’s stood on the touch-line and running out of ideas fast, the easy target and subject of abuse from thousands of incensed blues who decide to vote with their feet and leave 10 minutes before the end of the game. A mega-money Brazilian whose season has gone from hero to zero in a matter of months and a captain that fails to rally his troops time and time again on the pitch. Pick the bones from that...

 

It’s actually quite hard to. Mark Hughes was forced to make changes for the game, with injuries a-plenty and one eye on the UEFA Cup tie on Thursday that will inevitably a) decide his future at the club and b) make or break City’s future, certainly their season. No pressure then. It was good to see Martin Petrov making a long-overdue comeback although he did look fatigued during his time on the pitch. To be expected after being out for so long really. Javier Garrido stepped in for the injured Wayne Bridge and I thought he did a decent job. I think Garrido comes in for a lot of undeserved stick off City fans- there were worst players on the pitch.

 

Richard Dunne and Micah Richards had absolute howlers. Right from Dunne’s slip at the beginning nearly gifting Fulham an opener, the pair made mistake after mistake and played like a pair of schoolboys, not grown professionals. What has changed so much in a season? Apart from the money arriving, and that should encourage the pair to play better in order to ensure their survival in the team come summer.

 

The irrepressible Stephen Ireland and fellow academy graduate Nedum Onuoha were possibly the only two figures on the pitch that actually looked like they cared and who were putting the effort in. Ireland’s goal, possibly a speculative effort in his mind at first, was sublime. The fact that he even attempted it in the first place shows how confident the player is right now and his non-stop running and tackles are evidence of his commitment to the team.

 

Onuoha spoke out before the game praising the attitude and progress of Ireland, and stating that he would personally love to become ‘City’s John Terry’, and with his progress so far there is no reason he won’t achieve his goal. Having won City’s player of the month award for March, Onuoha continued to impress against Fulham, despite his team’s shortcomings. He’s definitely one to watch.

 

Robinho and Elano warmed up down the touch-line in front of appreciative and expectant fans eager to see their arrival onto the pitch. Chants directed at Hughes included ‘We want Robinho’ and ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’. When City lost their lead and fell behind, Robinho was delivered onto the field of play, but it was too little too late- what did fans actually expect, for the inconsistent Brazilian to wave a magic wand and pull two goals out of the bag? He is capable of that, but the expectation from Robinho and City was phenomenal.

 

Fulham are a side that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Roy Hodgson’s team aren’t where they are in the Premier League for no reason and credit should be given where it is due. But City were poor and Hughes should be the first to admit that. Whether he would or not is another matter.

 

When Fulham came round behind to win 3-1, City fans poured out of Eastlands, deciding to vote with their feet and direct abuse at the constantly under-pressure manager Hughes. The Thursday night game, against Hamburg, will undoubtedly prove to be his ‘Waterloo’; a game where the Welshman faces a certain Catch-22 situation- damned if he wins and damned if he doesn’t. The relentless, passionate if not frustrated fans remain positive and optimistic that the two goal deficit can be made up and with a 46, 000 sell-out crowd guaranteed at Eastlands, they will bring the atmosphere. However, it remains to be seen whether the City team can recover from Sunday, regroup and seek some spirit from 1999 to progress through to the semi-finals. As the final English team in the competition, the whole country should be behind Hughes’ side. Fingers and toes crossed, it’s going to be an emotional one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAKING THE MICAH

Manchester City 1-0 Sunderland

Richards on target as City sink 10-man Mackems

A goal from man of the match defender Micah Richards was enough for Manchester City to beat a 10-man Sunderland side at Eastlands.

Sunderland's George McCartney was shown a red card early in the game after beign adjudged to have held Shaun Wright-Phillips back in the penalty area.

Minutes later Steed Malbranque hauled Richards down in the box but Robinho failed to net the resulting penalty, with Martin Fulop saving comfortably.

City had plenty of chances to take the lead, but it was the impressive Richards who broke the deadlock, heading home from Elano's free-kick.

It was the home side that started the brightest and the in-form Wright-Phillips almost gave Mark Hughes' side the lead after a delightful ball from Valeri Bojinov, but his shot went just wide.

Wright-Phillips broke with pace down the right again but this time it seemed that Sunderland defender McCartney had held him back. Referee Steve Tanner immediately consulted his linesman to obtain a better perspective of the incident, and decided to issue McCartney with a red card.

Sunderland, down to 10 men, then suffered another set-back when Malbranque fouled Richards in the area. Tanner awarded City with a penalty, but Robinho failed to convert, opting to try to trick Fulop. Instead, the tame effort almost rolled into Fulop's arms.

Sunderland coped well with the loss of McCartney and limited City to lofting hopeful through-balls over the midfield- a tactic that didn't pay off. Ricky Sbragia's side remained resolute and strong against a City side that looked tired following the drama of their Thursday night UEFA Cup penalty shoot-out.

City did always pose a threat and on 50 minutes the break-through came. Elano's free kick fell to Richards, who out-jumped Anton Ferdinand and headed the ball home for his first goal since 2006. Mark Hughes' side nearly doubled their lead when Richards found Elano but his effort went inches agonisingly past the post.

Shay Given was rarely called into action but it was Richard Dunne who prevented Andy Reid from netting an equaliser, making a superb block tackle just as Reid was about to strike at goal from a dangerous range.

City needed a second goal to calm the nerves, but shots from Elano and Robinho forced Fulop into making superb saves. Although, it was a game where City had to grind the result out against a Sunderland side heading towards a relegation battle.

The result leaves City in 10th spot in the Premier League on 38 points heading into the international break. Up next is Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium...