Manchester City went into their New Year's Day clash with Sunderland looking for three points to move them closer to Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Manuel Pellegrini's men dominated the first half, but were denied by some resolute Sunderland defending and terrific goalkeeping from Costil Pantilimon.
Yaya Toure broke the deadlock in the second half, before Stevan Jovetic marked the opening of a crazy five minutes with a second City goal.
Sunderland went straight down the other end and pulled one back through a Jack Rodwell header, which seemed to spur a reaction as the Black Cats won a penalty through Billy Jones.
Adam Johnson dispatched the spot-kick with ease to pull the visitors level, but they hadn't accounted for substitute Frank Lampard who stole all three points with his second touch of the game to leave the final score at 3-2.
See how all of the action developed by reading our minute-by-minute updates below.
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our live New Year's Day coverage as Manchester City welcome Sunderland to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League. Manuel Pellegrini's men will be hunting out three points to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea, while Gus Poyet and his charges are looking to collect as many points as possible as they bid to climb higher in the league standings.
City will also be boosted by the added incentive that a win by three or more goals would send them above Chelsea in the table, with Jose Mourinho's men in action a little later this evening against Tottenham Hotspur.
Sunderland have been the masters of the draw this season and they've certainly been guilty of throwing away a number of points this season. As it stands, Sunderland have drawn 11 league games this season, including six of their last nine fixtures.
However, they'll be up against a City side in terrific form despite their recent draw to Burnley. Pellegrini has led the Sky Blues to an unbeaten run of 10 Premier League games - grabbing eight wins.
Today's visitors are capable of defending and their recent stats prove testament to this. Sunderland have kept four successive clean sheets away from home in recent times, which matches up as their longest such run in the English top flight.
The visitors will need to be careful though as City have managed to grab goals in every one of their last 16 league games. David Silva has been in particularly impressive form, having bagged five goals in his last five Premier League appearances.
The hosts have had to deal with the absence of key striker Sergio Aguero and its a feat that they've managed remarkably using James Milner as a false nine. The England midfielder also has a great record against Sunderland, with Milner scoring more against the Black Cats than any other Premier League team.
Some team news for you now...
MANCHESTER CITY STARTING XI: Caballero; Zabaleta, Mangala, Demichelis, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri, Silva, Navas, Jovetic
MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Hart, Kolarov, Milner, Sagna, Lampard, Sinclair, Boyata
SUNDERLAND STARTING XI Pantilimon; Vergini, Jones, Brown, O'Shea, Rodwell, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Buckley, Wickham
SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTES: Fletcher, Cabral, Altidore, Alvarez, Coates, Giaccherini, Mannone
So some changes for City, then. Willy Caballero comes in to replace Joe Hart in goal, while Milner has surprisingly been left out with Stevan Jovetic coming to start in attack.
Sunderland have unsurprisingly included Conor Wickham up top; he's scored three goals in the Black Cat's last two games against Manchester City. He'll be supported by the likes of Will Buckley, Jordi Gomez and Sebastian Larsson.
I think we can expect a combative contest in Manchester this afternoon. City's midfield are by no means afraid of an honest tackle, while Sunderland currently top the league's bookings table with 49 cards.
Sunderland seem to have really kicked into gear following their 8-0 mauling at the hands of Southampton earlier in the campaign. Since that terrible day, Poyet's men have been unbeaten away from home and have conceded only once in those five games played away from the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have tended to start quickest in their last 10 games, scoring first in six of those encounters. City have had the better luck when the teams have met so far this season, however, with Pellegrini's men winning both in the league and the League Cup.
City were in incredibly clinical form when the teams faced up at the Stadium of Light in early December. The champions bagged four from just four attempts on target in their 4-1 victory.
History between the two clubs suggests that City will be favourites for this one, but you can't discredit Sunderland's recent run. They've suffered just two defeats from their previous 10 games.
Midfield looks set to be a key area this afternoon. Sunderland know how to put themselves about and it will be up to Jack Rodwell and company to shut down Yaya Toure and Fernandinho when they get the chance. If they're able to stop City from passing, they might just be able to nullify the threat of Silva and Jovetic up top.
The festive period has always proved to be pivotal towards the outcome of the season and I get the feeling that today has the potential to really impact on the mindset of both City and Chelsea going into the remainder of the season. A win for the champions will see them move level on points with Chelsea and that could put real pressure on the Londoners as they prepare to face a tricky Spurs side later today.
It will be interesting to see how Toure impacts today's game. His position at the club has been one of real intrigue since his apparent falling out, with the performances of Fernando putting further pressure on the midfielder to perform. He'll be heading off to the African Cup of Nations later this month.
We're just under 15 minutes from kickoff at the Etihad this afternoon and it's time for me to give a prediction. I'm fancying City to get back to winning ways. Silva has been impressive recently and the inclusion of Jovetic should add something a little different in attack too. Sunderland have been resolute, but City at home should prove a little too much for them, I think. I'm saying 3-1 to the current Premier League champions.
Three points for the visitors today could potentially move them into 12th position in the table and I'm sure Poyet will be looking towards a mid-table finish as Sunderland look to plan out the rest of their season.
Lee Cattermole's absence could be important on the outcome of this game. His tenacity is built for fixtures like this and it will be interesting to see what kind of tactics Poyet deploys to try and shut down City's midfield. It's certainly an ominous task to say the least.
Pellegrini has been playing up the fact that he considers there to be more than two teams in the current title race. Here's what he's had to say in today's programme notes:
There will be other weekends in the season when there are surprising scores. That is football; it is not predictable. We are only halfway through the season and nothing is decided. This is not a two-team league there are too many points to play for and too many good sides to say that."
Obviously Kompany's absence will have some part to play on today's outcome too. Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis are going to have to club together and communicate well to get through this encounter unscathed.
It's a little bit wet in Manchester this afternoon. The players are just emerging from the tunnel as the rain pours down onto the pitch. City will be playing in their all blue home strip, while Sunderland don red and white.
Just a few minutes to go now and the home fans are starting to turn up the heat a little. I expect Sunderland to try and pack the midfield, however City won't mind that and they'll look to move the ball quickly to counter the visitors' pressing.
Both South American managers are having a good, long chat before kickoff down on the rain-soaked touchline.
KICKOFF! Sunderland get us underway then kicking from left to right. It's knocked around the back for a bit, before a ball is pumped long for Wickham to chase. City win the ball with ease, though.
Great work from City already as Jovetic takes the ball forward on the outside of the box. Silva shows good feet to accept the pass and then return a perfect one-two with the striker. He gets in behind the last man but fires his shot just wide of the back post.
The hosts are enjoying lots of the ball already with lots of quick, short movements in midfield. The ball is switched across the pitch from right to left, with Silva and Nasri looking to pick out pockets of space on the edge of the box. Silva tries to slip in Navas, leaving Jones to come across and spot the danger.
Jovetic is looking dangerous as he drops deep to receive and hold up the ball. This time he comes short and wins a free kick off O'Shea, with the resulting ball finding a hard-working Zabaleta who crosses into an empty box.
Nothing much going for Sunderland in the opening minutes as City's midfield look to already pick open the visitors' defence. Concentration is going to be key for Poyet's men.
Lots of short stuff from City on the edge of the area and they can't find a way through the Sunderland back-line. Toure runs out of patience and lashes a shot towards goal, which flies both high and wide of the goal.
The visitors are bringing numbers back in force to try and counter this City dominance. Sunderland have defended well so far, with City unable to create anything of real worth in the opposition's box.
CLOSE! Continued short work from the hosts as they wait for the perfect moment to slip something in behind the defence. The ball is fed to Navas on the right flank and he thrashes in a low cross, which Pantilimon does well to smother.
Toure isn't looking to clever at the moment as he limps about the centre of the pitch. It looks as if the midfielder is having some trouble with his groin, but he's insisting on continuing at the moment.
Sunderland get their first chance to put pressure on City and Wickham does well to hold up the ball. The visitors shift the leather around the City box, before Zabaleta gives a needless foul away on Johnson.
A testing delivery from Larsson searches out the runners at the back-post, however Mangala does really well to head away for a Sunderland corner. The City defender is then at it again to deny a scrambling Brown in the centre of the hosts' box.
YELLOW CARD! Sunderland have started to look a little more promising in these past few minutes. Keeping the ball is going to be important for them too. They try a little too hard to keep possession at the back and Jones is forced to concede a yellow to keep out a bustling Navas.
There's a lot of pressure on Sunderland when they do have the ball in defence. The City midfield is moving high up the pitch to try and win the ball back. Jovetic shows some clever running to get in behind Gomez and collect a ball from Navaz. His cross wins a corner, which leads to a dangerous scramble in the box. Toure has a shot blocked, before Silva curls an effort wide of the far post.
Silva and Navas are looking the most creative thus far. City are growing increasingly more troublesome for the visitors, however Sunderland are keeping their shape well. It looks like this might be a long afternoon of defensive work for the Black Cats.
Wonderful work from Jovetic this time as he pulls out towards the left wing to receive the ball. He jinks inside to feed Silva, who accepts a one-two before winning a corner which comes to nothing.
You have to feel a little bit for Wicham already, he's having to chase down a lot of lost causes already. More possession for the hosts now as Nasri looks to combine with Toure, who eventually fouls Johnson and Sunderland win a free kick in their own box.
Sunderland haven't really looked troubled yet, but they'll be concerned about how much of the ball City have had. Toure is the lynchpin in the middle at the moment, starting moves to feed Silva and Navas. This game has been full of short, intricate passes and Sunderland have done all they can to shut out the home side.
Rodwell does brilliantly for his team to shut out Fernandinho after City looked to break at pace. The midfielder just about gets a foot in at the right time to close out the City man in the centre of the box, following Silva's cut-back.
SAVE! What can City do to break down this resolute defence? Sunderland have sat deep to frustrate the hosts and it's working well so far. You get the feeling that a brilliant flick or touch could open this game up for City, though. Silva is perhaps given a little too much time and he forces a good stop from Pantilimon down at his right post. Comfortable for the keeper.
Brown shows some clever feet to turn away a cross from Navas. Still City dominate this fixture as the winger jinks down the right before trying to find someone in the centre of the box. Luckily the former Manchester United defender is there to slice away for a corner.
Some smart defending from the visitors as Vergini blocks the run of Jovetic. The striker has been bright, but hasn't been able to produce the final quality needed to muster an opening. Nasri then looks to break in behind the defence, but the full-back is positioned well and the midfielder is flagged for offside.
City are perhaps lacking some tempo, but it's hardly been their fault given that Sunderland are sitting so deep. Toure is given space outside of the box and he opts to drop his shoulder and shoot. It's a pretty tame effort and Pantilimon collects easily in the centre of goal.
Great from Sunderland now as they break forward, leaving Gomez to draw a foul from Zabaleta right on the edge of the area. The City players are furious and want Rodwell booked for the challenge that led to the break. The tackle looks a little high but he does win the ball cleanly from Toure.
SAVE! Caballero looks concentrated and he shows it with a strong stop to deny Larsson from the set-piece. The midfielder gets it up and down enough to evade the wall, but the keeper scrambles across to block the ball down towards his right post.
Despite their lack of possession Sunderland have played well in this opening 45 minutes. They've had very little to work with, but have done superbly when in possession of the ball. At the back they've shown great communication and resilience to keep out City, who have swamped the Sunderland box at times.
Navas is the latest to have a go for the hosts as they fail to find a route in behind the defence. The Spaniard can only muster a tame curly effort that is cleared by the first defender... leaving City to mount another attack.
Mangala has to show great pace to keep out Larsson, as City play a horrendous back pass towards Caballero who is nowhere near to coming out to collect it.
HALF TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 0-0 SUNDERLAND
Sunderland are sticking to their plan well, then. They've sat very deep, but it's worked so far with City cutting a figure of collected frustration come half time. The hosts have had all of the ball in a dominant first half display without being able to carve out any real goalscoring chances. Pantilimon has had to make a few stops, although they've all been comfortable.
Pellegrini's men have held 68% of the ball in the first period, and attempted to take 15 shots on goal. However, only two of those have been on target. The home side won't be too concerned as they'll know that Sunderland will ultimately tire at some point. Question is, will the hosts be able to take the chance when it comes?
Poyet will be delighted with that showing, I'm sure. The Black Cats have communicated intelligently at the back and have been able to see off City as a result. Going forward Wickham has worked hard and when in possession the visitors have moved the ball cleverly. One cause for concern will be how little of the leather they've seen though, it sort of seems inevitable that City will have to create some chances of note if they're allowed so much of the ball in the second half.
Saying that, I'm not so sure Sunderland will want to play possession football against City. They'll be looking to exploit any sniff of a counter attack, while also seeking to exploit any set-pieces that become available.
I'm not sure that Pellegrini will look to change anything at the break. City are still well in the driving seat. They've got Frank Lampard on the bench and he's often the source of late goals. They may want to try and move the ball with a little more pace in the second period. Inviting Sunderland on a little more could also be beneficial too.
Three points are crucial for the home side today, with Pellegrini desperate not to allow Chelsea the chance to gain more ground in the race for the title. I'm still backing the hosts to take three points here. They might just have to steal it with a single goal, though.
The rain continues to pour down in the middle of Manchester as the players emerge from the tunnel. City are to get us back underway here, with Pellegrini giving his seat a good old towelling down amid the rain.
KICKOFF! Here we go, City back into their stride as Navas takes it down the right. He jinks inside to collect a return ball before lashing just wide of the near post. Close from the winger!
The hosts are afforded too much room as Jovetic drops deep to collect the ball. He takes it forward to slip a pass into the running Nasri, whose cross is cleared by the first defender.
The carousel continues for City as Toure sits in the middle and offers the ball left and right. This time Navas is the willing recipient down the right and he's followed closely by Jones, who concedes a corner.
Navas is very much the first-choice option for attacks at the moment. He's been great in terms of offering himself, but his end product has been lacking. This time he's easily tackled by Johnson, who then draws a yellow card from Nasri moments later.
Very much the same pattern as the first half so far. Sunderland will need to show a little more ambition when in possession, as Jones is robbed in the City half having tried to hold up the ball with little options around him.
Wonderful work from Fernandinho sees him win back possession in his own half. Navas is found on the right flank and City win a corner following a scramble inside the box. Wickham gets back to clear from the set-piece with a good header.
City have held a whopping 80% possession in the last five minutes! Still, Sunderland sit deep and continue to see off wave after wave of attack.
GOAL! GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 SUNDERLAND (YAYA TOURE)
Wow... If you can't break them down; just hand it to Toure. The City midfielder is fed the ball on the edge of the box and he cuts across it with a wonderful first-time effort that flies into the roof of the net past a helpless Pantilimon. What a strike!
Sunderland are going to have to take a different approach now and this could really open the game up... probably in City's favour too. In the midst of all of the action Emanuele Giaccherini comes on to replace Gomez, as the visitors seek to offer something more in attack.
Appeals for a penalty inside the City box as Silva looks to have bumped into Buckley following a scramble from a corner. It's a close call, but the referee waves play on. Not sure you're going to get that at the Etihad.
The game has slowed down to a tempo even slower than that of the first half now. City look to crank things up as Silva is played in behind the defence via Fernandinho. He gets it all wrong though and can only muster a chip straight into the arms of a grateful Pantilimon.
GOAL! GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 SUNDERLAND (STEVAN JOVETIC)
GOAL! GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 SUNDERLAND (JACK RODWELL)
A crazy few minutes at the Etihad! Jovetic puts City initially 2-0 ahead by flicking a neat finish past Pantilimon from a Clichy cross, before Sunderland go down the other end and pull one back straight away. Rodwell is the scorer after rising highest in the box to flick past a helpless Caballero.
Penalty to Sunderland! Jones wins a spot-kick by flicking the ball past Zabaleta. Is the game about to be turned on its head?
MANCHESTER CITY 2-2 SUNDERLAND (ADAM JOHNSON, PENALTY)
Amazing scenes in Manchester as City blow a second two-goal lead in the space of two Premier League games. It's a great penalty from Johnson who lashes into the left side of the goal, leaving Caballero to dive the wrong way.
GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 3-2 SUNDERLAND (FRANK LAMPARD)
Lampard is introduced and scores with what is basically his second touch of the match. City work the ball down the left flank and cross towards the near post, where the on-loan midfielder rocks back to guide a superb header past a sprawling Pantilimon. City are back in front!
SAVE! I won't be forgetting this game for a long, long time. City seize the initiative having seemingly squandered a comfortable lead. Toure weaves his way through the Sunderland defence with far too much ease. Pantilimon rushes off his line to produce a good save.
SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland are evidently looking a little beleaguered after all of this. Vergini is replaced by Sebastian Coates at the back. Lots of tired legs on display, which that run from Toure clearly showed. Have we used up all of our drama in this game? I hope not...
SAVE! Lampard seems in a destructive mood. He's everywhere at the moment and this time gambles with a great late run into the box. He's picked out by Navas with a cut-back, before shooting down the throat of an on-ruhsing Pantilimon. Good work from the keeper.
SAVE! More strong work from the Sunderland stopper as he comes out to deny Navas, whose played in behind the defence. He might have gone for power in hindsight, with his chipped effort being pushed away for a corner.
Sunderland will be gutted but this game is far from over. They've been able to get players forward in this second half and I think there could still be another chance in this. They'll have to pick themselves up and go hard for these closing minutes.
SUBSTITUTION: Pellegrini understands the dangers here and decides to replace Nasri with Aleksandar Kolarov.
SAVE! Pantilimon has been outstanding today and he pulls off another world-class stop to deny Fernandinho. The midfielder starts the move by feeding Silva outside, who returns the gesture with a wonderful ball across the box into the Brazilian's path. He shoots first time with his instep, leaving the keeper to read the ball well and make a save with his legs.
SUBSTITUTION: Final change for City as Silva is replaced by Milner.
CLOSE! Milner's first contribution almost sees him close out the game. He wins the knock-down to find Navas, who sends it back to the midfielder who whips a delivery towards the back-post, but it's a little too high and evades the bar.
Five additional minutes to be played in Manchester. Can Sunderland change the course of this game?
Lampard has changed this game entirely... What a spectacle we've been handed here. City move the ball across the Sunderland box as they seek to keep possession and it looks like they're going to seal all three points.
FULL TIME: MANCHESTER 3-2 SUNDERLAND
What a fantastic treat to open the New Year. I think City ultimately deserved all three points, but Sunderland showed great fight and resilience to make a real go of this fixture. Hats off to both Toure and Lampard, with the latter's contribution a match-winning one.
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
