Match Reflection: Sunderland 1 - 0 Manchester City

Bardsley bursts City's title hopes

By Adam Bailey

Ex-Manchester United defender Phil Bardsley condemned Manchester City to their fourth defeat of the season in a 1-0 win that inflicted significant wounds into City's title hopes. 

The Stadium of Light has become a 'stadium of plight' for the Blues who have now suffered four consecutive 1-0 losses in Wearside. Gus Poyet's Black Cats were drowning in the depths of the relegation zone before 2pm on Sunday afternoon, but a thrilling three points against Manuel Pellegrini's side will help scratch themselves back up the table.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

The hosts started brightly when Sebastian Larsson tested the alertness of a make-shift City defence with a wicked ball that just escaped striker Steven Fletcher. However, the Swede was lucky to escape a straight red card just minutes later when he presented Javi Garcia with a menacing view of the bottom of his boot. Mike Dean was perfectly positioned, but not even a yellow was shown to the midfielder.

In the Spotlight: Sunderland

No. 12: Paolo di Canio, Gus Poyet and the impact of Steven Fletcher

By Jack Mumford

City travel to the Stadium of Light this weekend to face a struggling Sunderland side. We caught up with Sunderland fan Glen Cardy (@glencardy7) to consider their season so far and look ahead to Sunday’s match.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Match Preview: Sunderland vs Manchester City

Pellegrini hoping to engineer City to an away victory

By Aaron Leggott

Recent trips to the Stadium of Light haven't been filled with happiness for the Blues, with a flurry of last minute winners from the Mackems succumbing the Blues to defeat after defeat. 

In fact, the last four victories have seen City failing to register a win - with three defeats and a draw the outcomes in that period. 

And with Manuel Pellegrini's looking extremely frail on the road this season, this probably isn't the fixture they would have wanted next.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Match Reflection: City 1 - 0 Sunderland

Dzeko goal secures the Barclays Asia Trophy for City

By Aaron Leggott

Despite the awful condition of the pitch at the Hong Kong Stadium, Edin Dzeko managed to score a magnificent goal to deliver the Barclays Asia Trophy to City - and hopefully the first of many this season.

In the grand scheme of things, the trophy is rather meaningless, with the main aim during pre-season to improve match fitness. But, Dzeko's sweet volley from 20 yards was an indication to Manuel Pellegrini that he will have a few sleepless nights when picking his first XI in three weeks time.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

Dzeko was named as the Player of the Tournament thanks to his performances as the Bosnian grabbed two goals in as many games and really should have had one more but for an awful penalty miss on the hour mark.

Match Reflection: City 1 - 0 South China

Dzeko heads home in Hong Kong

By Adam Bailey

With agony in Africa behind them, Pellegrini’s men cruised to a routine victory in Hong Kong thanks to an Edin Dzeko header on 21 minutes.

The match was cut short by ten minutes due the horrific state of the pitch which had been mauled by the horrendous weather and the boots of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland.

The game was characterised early on by the outstanding tenacity and creativity of James Milner down the right flank. If City were going to score, Milner was almost certainly going to be the producer and his floated cross midway through the first half was headed in by Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.

Edin Dzeko in action today in Hong Kong
Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

The Englishman was doing a fine job of staking his claim to start in Manuel Pellegrini’s star studded XI next season and although the City faithful will have been disappointed not to see new signings Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas even make the bench, they certainly will have been excited by Milner’s early play.

PRE-SEASON: Barclays Asia Trophy 2013

Second part of an in depth look at City's pre-season schedule

By Aaron Leggott

After defeats to SuperSport United and AmaZulu in the Blues' pre-season tour of South Africa, Manuel Pellegrini has led his team to the Far East to partake in the Barclays Asia Trophy over Wednesday and Saturday. 

With it being the only Premier League affiliated competition outside of England, it is a great chance for Pellegrini to test his team against two Premier League competitors as Tottenham and Sunderland also make the trip to Hong Kong. 

The knock-out competition will take place over two matchdays, with South China completing the list after being crowned the 2012/13 Champions of the Hong Kong First Division League. 

All four games will be held in the 40,000 capacity Hong Kong Stadium, with the Blues facing South China in the semi-final tomorrow afternoon (1.30pm BST). 

Match Report: City 3 - 0 Sunderland

AK's 'foots-a-heaven'

By Dave Walker

Serbian hitman Aleksander Kolarov’s lethal left foot weapon fired champions Manchester City up to second place in the Premier League in a display of precision shooting.

Kolarov celebrates after opening the scoring
Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

All action Kolarov dispelled the ubiquitous notion that the reigning English Champions have somehow lost their way, as City annihilated previously unbeaten Sunderland.

The three goal margin in no way reflected City’s total domination. 

City vs Sunderland: Match Report

City slip up again as points are shared at the Etihad

By Aaron Leggott

Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

It was Sunderland's turn to plant a blow in City's now faint title hopes, despite the Blues staging another late comeback at the Etihad Stadium thanks to goals from Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov.

Sunderland started the game brightly, and the Black Cats threatened the home side in the first five minutes with James McClean and Craig Gardner testing Joe Hart in the City goal.

And whilst City had chances of their own through Edin Dzeko and Balotelli, it was the visitors who took advantage of their bright start through a Sebastian Larsson goal on the half hour mark.

City started the match in a lackluster fashion, and you had a feeling that Sunderland were in the mood after Everton's demolition of the Black Cats on Tuesday night.

Like in the reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light, it was Stephane Sessegnon who was the stand-out performer for the North east outfit. His movement was exquisite throughout the match, and this was highlighted with his involvement in all three of Sunderland's goals.

City vs Sunderland: Match Preview

By Tom Smart

Manchester City go in today’s home clash with Sunderland knowing they can extend their own record to 21 consecutive home wins in the Premier League and more importantly regain top-spot, albeit temporarily.

TSBV Feature: Premier League preview (Part 3)

With 10 clubs having been previewed, we look at the last 10 teams with only 3 days left to go before the start of the season. Today, we'll preview the chances of Newcastle United, Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City and Sunderland

Latest Transfer News: 3rd August

Firstly, there has been some confirmed news, with 21 year old Ryan McGivern has joined Crystal Palace on an initial month long loan deal. Palace manager Dougie Freedman said: "I am pleased to be able to agree with both Andrew and Ryan for them to be with us for the opening month of our season. I am fully aware the qualities which both bring to our playing squad. Both bring experience to an area of the team where we need cover going into an important opening set of games and I see them as important additions to the players we already have available."

Elsewhere, according to the Mirror, City are willing to offer Emmanuel Adebayor in a swap deal for the Spurs right winger Aaron Lennon. If true, it will be a great shock to Harry Redknapp, who only recently desired his admiration to sign up out of favour Adebayor. Talks are supposedly progressing well, with the only stumbling block proving to be the wages of the Togo star, which are way out of Tottenham's range.

Roberto Mancini is desperate to get rid of Emmanuel Adebayor, who has been nothing but a distraction for the past season, publicising the pair's relationship with each other on various occassions. If Mancini can get Lennon as part of the deal, he would see it as a big bonus.

In other news, there are rumours going around that Sunderland have made an enquiry for right winger Shaun Wright Phillips. The 29 year old recently expressed his desire to fight for a place at City, but the likes of Sunderland, Bolton and Wigan have something which cannot be offered at City; first team football. City would probably consider selling him, but only for the right price