SUNDERLAND 0, MANCHESTER CITY 1
Manuel Pellegrini’s 100th Premier League game in charge of Man City
Sergio Aguero with early winning goal in a scrappy game
Joe Hart, the woodwork, and Nicolas Otamendi’s goal line clearance protect the lead
Manuel Pellegrini’s 100th Premier League game in his final season in charge of Manchester City ended with a scrappy 1-0 win at Sunderland as they kept pace with this weekend’s visitors and league leaders Leicester City.
Pellegrini praised the performance of Joe Hart after he made a string of vital saves to protect Sergio Aguero’s first half goal which turned out to be the winner.
He said: “Joe made important saves and is a very good goalkeeper. He normally doesn’t have too much work so it’s good for him to demonstrate why he is number one.”
“I was delighted not only for this game, but it was important to win in my 100th game. I am very happy with the way we have played.”
Hart was gushing in his praise of Pellegrini following the revelation that the Chilean was leaving in the summer and would be replaced by Pep Guardiola.
He said: “We back him all the way and we love him as our manager. We’re here to win titles, Manuel’s here to win titles and that’s what we’re here to do.
“We appreciate that we’ve got a job to do this season. Next season is next season.”
Hart, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero were restored to the starting line-up after Saturday’s FA Cup game at Aston Villa while Kelechi Iheanacho retained his place in the side as Aguero’s strike partner as a reward for his FA Cup heroics but it was Hart’s turn to be hero for the day after City took the lead.
It took just 16 minutes for Sergio Aguero to score when the Argentine latched onto a deflected cross by Jesus Navas to beat Vito Mannone but seemed to sustain an injury in the process after a challenge by Billy Jones.
Aguero recovered to test Mannone with a curling effort after Iheanacho found him with a pass.
City couldn’t capitalise on their lead and instead Sunderland fought back but found the newly restored Joe Hart in match-winning form.
Lamine Kone’s free header served as warning, while Jan Kirchoff slipped in the area before Joe Hart pulled off a brilliant save to deny Jermain Defoe and while Jones hit the post with the follow up.
City made a half time change, sacrificing Iheanacho for Fernando, to try and deal with Sunderland’s midfield but Hart denied Jones again in the second half as the Black Cats continued to make life difficult.
Pellegrini confirmed that Iheanacho and later Navas were withdrawn for tactical reasons although the Spaniard appeared to have sustained a hamstring injury prior to his substitution.
Hart was saved by a late defensive clearance off the line by Nicolas Otamendi after he had failed to collect a high Sunderland ball which was won by Kirchoff.