Manchester City went into their New Year's Day clash with travellers Sunderland looking for three points to keep them in touch with Premier League leaders Chelsea.
After a congested first half, goals from Yaya Toure and Stevan Jovetic gave City a two-goal lead, before Sunderland hit back through Jack Rodwell and an Adam Johnson penalty.
City were able to grab three vital points, though, as substitute Frank Lampard earned a 3-2 victory with his second touch of the game.
Here, Sports Mole provides an analysis of the action at the Etihad Stadium.
Match statistics
MANCHESTER CITY
Shots: 32
On target: 12
Possession: 64%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 14
SUNDERLAND
Shots: 4
On target: 4
Possession: 36%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 7
Was the result fair?
On the balance of play, City deserved all three points but you can't discredit Sunderland's performance. Pellegrini's men dominated the entire game and they finally took the lead through some standout finishing from both Toure and Jovetic. At times it looked as though Sunderland would be unable to muster much in front of goal and they were thankful for a rather bizarre five minutes that gave them hope of a result. It would be hard to overstate the importance of substitute Lampard in the outcome of the game. The former Chelsea midfielder was simply outstanding and ultimately proved to be the match-winner.
Manchester City's performance
The Sky Blues were in such control of the fixture that at one point they had held 80% possession over a five-minute period. That said, the hosts had found it tough going in front of goal in the first half. Things all changed once Toure had fired them in front and that led to the game becoming more open. With Sunderland forced into moving forward, City began to create a whole host of chances, with Jovetic finishing brilliantly to give them a two-goal lead. Not that much can be read into the bizarre five minutes of play that saw Sunderland restore parity.
Sunderland's performance
The Black Cats continued to show some impressive defensive qualities and with a little more luck they may well have got something from this fixture. They played a brilliant tactical game in the first half and had City frustrated. The visitors pressed well all over the pitch and proved that they also have the guile required to change games when pushing forward. At the end of the day, they were beaten by some brilliance showcased by both Toure and Lampard. Poyet should be proud despite the result.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Yaya Toure: Toure found himself to be everywhere throughout the fixture. In the first half the Ivorian was at the centre of each and every move as City sought to push themselves in front. Having found his teammates unable to provide the quality to open the scoring, he stepped up to the plate himself to power in a wonderful finish and give his side a vital opener. The goal changed the course of the match as Sunderland were forced to press forward, leaving holes to open up in midfield and at the back. A special mention should also go to Lampard, however, as his introduction was equally important to the outcome at the Eithad.
Biggest gaffe
This game offered little in the way of poor performances, although Jordi Gomez didn't have his best showing in a Sunderland shirt. The Spaniard barely got on the ball and didn't do too much running when out of possession before he was substituted early in the second half for Emanuele Giaccherini.
Referee performance
Roger East had a really strong game. The official drew five cards in the contest, but each of these was necessary. He was patient with the players throughout and made a terrific call under pressure to hand Sunderland a penalty after Billy Jones had been brought down by Pablo Zabaleta.
What next?
Manchester City: City will come out of the festive period in good spirits despite surrendering their recent lead to Burnley. Three points today ensured that they now move level for the time being with Chelsea. After a break for the FA Cup, Pellegrini's next Premier League game sees his side travel to struggling Everton, where a win is surely there for the taking.
Sunderland: Poyet will be boosted after this performance. Sunderland have shown their ability to play an adroit tactical game, especially when defending. If they can find a way of linking midfield and attack together with a little more fluidity, the Black Cats will fancy themselves to climb higher in the table over the coming months. Sunderland's next league game sees them welcome Liverpool to the Stadium of Light, which could really go either way.
Christopher Dodd
