Adam Johnson came back to haunt his former club as Manchester City slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland this afternoon.
Visiting City had the better of the chances before the break, but they were unable to breach the home net.
Vincent Kompany saw an early header from a David Silva corner bounce to safety off the crossbar, while Silva himself saw a low effort saved by the feet of Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Sunderland's only real chance of note was made with 25 minutes played, but Joe Hart got across his line to deny Craig Gardner's skidding effort.
However, just seven minutes after the restart, Hart was at fault for the goal that give the home team the lead. The England goalkeeper appeared to try to read Johnson's mind and block his cross, only for the winger to send the ball inside Hart's near post from a narrow angle.
That goal prompted City into action, but Sergio Aguero was denied from a narrow angle by Mignolet with 69 minutes gone. Moments later substitute Edin Dzeko then tested Mignolet, but the Belgian was equal to his effort.
The hosts had a good chance to put the game out of City's reach 10 minutes from time, but Hart atoned for his earlier area to deny Fraizer Campbell from inside the area.
Roberto Mancini's City proceeded to put pressure on the Black Cats, but they could't find a route back into the match. As a result, they are now seven points behind leaders Manchester United.
Liam Apicella
