Goals from Sergio Aguero and Stevan Jovetic have given Manchester City a 2-1 half-time lead against Sunderland.
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After picking up impressive results at the weekend, both teams began brightly at the Stadium of Light but after Aguero had just failed to connect at the near post, it was Sunderland who came agonisingly close to taking the lead.
Will Buckley, who has replaced Adam Johnson in the starting lineup, beat the offside trap before pulling the ball back for Jack Rodwell, but the former City midfielder saw his low strike cleared off the line by Pablo Zabaleta.
The action continued to go back and forth but in the 19th minute, Sunderland stunned City with the opening goal in fortuitous circumstances. Pablo Zabaleta managed to get back to tackle Connor Wickham after the striker had been played in on goal, but his challenge resulted in the ball ricocheting off the Sunderland player and into the net.
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However, it took all of two minutes for City to respond. After Sunderland lost the ball in their own half, Aguero made his way forward before driving an effort past former City stopper Costel Pantilimon and into the corner.
The equaliser set the tone for the remainder of the half as City began to dominate possession. Three minutes after Aguero's goal, Jesus Navas came close to a second but his low drive evaded the post by inches.
Sunderland were trying to frustrate City but it came to no avail as the visitors went ahead with six minutes of the first half remaining. Aguero, who was pulling the strings for Manuel Pellegrini's men, flicked the ball to Jovetic who made no mistake with a composed finish inside the penalty area.
Darren Plant
