Sunderland vs Manchester City - as it happened: Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero fire visitors to victory
Re-live all the action from the Stadium of Light
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City finally look like they’ve hit a bit of form after a torrid spell over Christmas which saw them drop out of the title race.
Since the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton in January, Pep Guardiola’s side have drawn 2-2 with Tottenham – a game they should have won – as well as three straight wins over West Ham, Swansea and Bournemouth.
Those results have pushed City back to third, one place behind second-placed Spurs, with a game in hand.
Bottom-of-the-table Sunderland stand in their way this weekend and, with only one win since the turn of the year, David Moyes faces a tough task to get his side out of trouble.
Follow the action live...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
Vital information…
The game kicks off at 4pm on Sunday 5 March and the game will be shown on Sky Sports 1.
It’s a big game for…
Sergio Aguero. Sunderland should prove cannon fodder for a striker of Aguero’s qualities and with Guardiola still unconvinced by the Argentine there is no better time for him to prove his worth. Aguero has scored four goals and two assists in his last four games against the Black Cats.
Player to watch…
Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian is the creative hub of the Manchester City attack and will surely thrive against a leaky Sunderland defence which has conceded six goals in their last two games.
Best stat…
Jermain Defoe has scored eight goals against Manchester City over the course of his career and has only had more success against Wigan, who he has scored 10 against.
Form guide…
Sunderland: LLDWLL
Manchester City: WWWDWW
Odds…
Sunderland to win: 10/1
Manchester City to win: 3/11
Draw: 51/10
(Courtesy of 888.com)
56 MINS
Oviedo hacks down Sterling and he is lucky to escape that incident without a booking. That could have ended badly, had the City lad not leaped out of the way. Free kick to the visitors.
59 MINS
GOAL
SUNDERLAND 0 - 2 MANCHESTER CITY
Sane has doubled City's tally with a smart finish, assisted by Silva. The delicate through ball finds Sane, who looks up and strikes it past Pickford with his left-foot.
A number of Sunderland fans have seen enough for one day, as they get up and head towards the exit.
62 MINS
Sunderland continue to hunt possession, but their efforts remain unrewarded. They are failing to make any progress up the field and continue to loose the majority of midfield battles.
64 MINS
Sane puts Clichy through down the left and the ex-Arsenal lad delivers a ball into the box. Once again, the delivery is over-hit and it is a complete waste. Had Guardiola's men been more effective with their crosses, they could have embarrased Sunderland today.
67 MINS
Silva threads a clever ball to Sterling, who puts it across the box to Toure. The midfielder shows too much of the ball to Gibson and he is quickly dispossessed.
72 MINS
City press forward, but have no urgency about their play and look happy to keep Sunderland just chasing possession. Aguero bursts through, but Pickford comes out quickly and brings an early end to the attack.
74 MINS
Sane looks to double his tally, but he is denied by some clever positioning of Pickford. His pace is lightning quick and he's really causing a nuisance in the Sunderland final third.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments