Barclays Premier League: Manchester City Vs Sunderland Match Report - As it happened

There was much being made of the fourth successive defeat Manchester City have suffered at the Stadium of Light following another truly surprising result yesterday. What mattered more was that this was the fourth time City have lost away from home in the Premier League this season, and we have not even passed November.

Phil Bardsley scored the only goal as Sunderland defeated Manchester City 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday in the Premier League. Bardsley struck in the 21st minute to give Sunderland their fourth straight home match against City in the league. All four wins have come by the 1-0 scoreline.

Manuel Pellegrini did not carry any scars from the three defeats endured by his predecessor Roberto Mancini, but he suffered the same painful experience on his first trip to the Stadium of Light and wore the same puzzled expression as he tried to explain the worst result of his five-month City reign.

“My reaction to this is very similar to the other games we have lost away,” Pellegrini said. “I don’t know how we have lost, I think we played well, it was just one chance for Sunderland and they scored.

Best of the Match:

• Man of the Match: Wes Brown. Who would have known the former Manchester United defender was making his first Premier League appearance in 22 months? Without any signs of rustiness, he remained formidable throughout and put his body on the line on numerous occasions. As good as a new signing.

• Moment of the Match: Phil Bardsley’s first-half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides and what a well-taken goal it was. The full-back stormed down the left before Brown picked him out and he duly applied the finish.

• Save of the Match: Vito Mannone was superb between the sticks for Sunderland, commanding his game confidently all game. He did well to deny Dzeko, but the pick of his saves came when he thwarted Aguero, flying across his line to tip the striker’s effort wide.

Man of the Match: Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown

Flop of the Match: James Milner