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Sunderland
Premier League
Dec 3, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

1-4

Wickham (19')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Aguero (21', 71'), Jovetic (39'), Zabaleta (55')

Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-4 Manchester City

Sports Mole rates the best and worst players in the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at the Stadium of Light.

Manchester City came from behind to claim a 4-1 win in their Premier League match against Sunderland this evening.

Connor Wickham gave the Black Cats the lead, but a double from Sergio Aguero and strikes from Stevan Jovetic and Pablo Zabaleta sealed the points for the visitors.

Here, Sports Mole has rated the performances of each of the players on show at the Stadium of Light.


Connor Wickham of Sunderland scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at The Stadium of Light on December 3, 2014© Getty Images

SUNDERLAND:

Goal

Costel Pantilimon: Not the best of nights for the keeper, who conceded each shot that City got on target. (5/10)

Defence

Anthony Reveillere: Was beaten for pace by Navas all night long and allowed the Spaniard to get in behind him and supply a number of dangerous crosses. (5/10)

John O'Shea: Struggled against the pace and trickery of Aguero and Navas and was caught out cold for the second goal. (5/10)

Sebastian Coates: Another Sunderland defender who struggled. He was beaten by Aguero before the Argentine scored his first goal and didn't get close to the striker for his second. (5/10)

Santiago Vergini: Was good on the ball and was not left as exposed as his other full-back. (6/10)

Midfield

Lee Cattermole: Started the game well and made some decent changes to break up City's attacks. However, he faded as the game wore on, as the visitors took firm control of the match. (6/10)

Sebastian Larsson: Played a great through-ball to Wickham for the first goal. Apart from that moment, he was quiet and did not provide his usual threat from set pieces. (6/10)

Jack Rodwell: Came close early on when his shot was blocked by Zabaleta. Did not make too much of an impact from then on and struggled to keep hold of the ball. (6/10)

Connor Wickham: Played a big part by scoring the first goal, although it was a fortunate strike. Struggled to get into the game after that moment and was replaced midway through the second half. (6/10)

Will Buckley: Failed to make an impact and was overrun in the midfield by Toure and Fernandinho. (6/10)

Attack

Steven Fletcher: Did not have a chance and was replaced early in the second half by Altidore, with what looked like a back problem. (5/10)

Substitutes

Ricky Alvarez: Barely had a touch of the ball after he replaced Wickham. (5/10)

Jozy Altidore: Showed a lot of energy, but lacked any real quality when on the ball. (6/10)


 Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates after scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on December 3, 2014© Getty Images

MANCHESTER CITY:

Goal

Joe Hart: Did not have much to do and can hardly be blamed for the goal his side conceded. (6/10)

Defence

Pablo Zabaleta: Quality performance from the Argentine, who recovered well from his early setback. He had played the ball against Wickham for the opening goal, but made up for that with an energetic display down the right. Crowned the night with a fine chipped finish. (8/10)

Martin Demichelis: Not the best of starts for the defender after allowing Wickham to run in behind him. He improved as the game wore on and was never troubled by Fletcher or Altidore. (6/10)

Dedryck Boyata: Another defender who struggled in the early stages, but steadily improved and looked assured at the back. (6/10)

Gael Clichy: Was not given too many problems in the defence, but did allow Buckley to run behind him early on. He was involved in plenty of his team's best attacks and should have scored when he headed wide at the end of the first half. (7/10)

Midfield

Fernandinho: The Brazilian was a rock in the centre of the pitch and always used the ball well, while his link up play with Toure was a joy to watch.(8/10)

Yaya Toure: Great performance from the Ivorian who has started to find his best form. He completely dominated the midfield and played some fantastic passes to set up his team's attacks. (8/10)

Jesus Navas: The Spaniard was dangerous all night long. He constantly got in down the right and delivered a number of fine crosses. (8/10)

Samir Nasri: Set up the third goal with a delightful pass through to Zabaleta. Always used the ball well and was part of City's best attacking moves. (7/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Once again, the Argentine was at his devastating best. He equalised for City with a powerful strike from outside the box, before setting up Jovetic for his second with a wonderful flick. His second goal put the seal on a great night for his club.(9/10)

Stevan Jovetic: Scored the second goal of the night with a well-taken strike through the legs of the keeper. Linked up well with Aguero and was always a threat for the Sunderland defence. (7/10)

Substitutes

James Milner: Replaced Jovetic shortly before the hour mark and provided a reliable performance in the midfield. Set up the fourth goal with a fine cross that was finished off by Aguero. (7/10)

Frank Lampard: Came on for Aguero after the fourth goal went in and tested his luck with a couple of strikes from range. (6/10)

Jose Pozos: The youngster came on for the final seven minutes, but did not see much of the ball. (6/10)


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 Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates after scoring during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on December 3, 2014
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