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Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City
Match Reports, 17:24, August 29, 2010 ,
Darren Bent's penalty deep into injury time was enough to secure a shock 1-0 success for Sunderland over Manchester City.
With the game petering out to a goalless draw, Micah Richards bundled Bent in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Bent made no mistake in converting the penalty - but Joe Hart will be kicking himself for diving over the ball as it made its way to the back of the net.
The result was fully deserved for a Black Cats side who offered stubborn resistance to City's expensively-assembled side of superstars. Anton Ferdinand, Michael Turner and Kieran Richardson all put in strong displays across the back as they snuffed out all of City's moves.
However, Turner's retirement at half-time through injury - as well as Frazier Campbell's withdrawal at the break - will taint the victory for Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
For City's part, their free-flowing football often broke down towards the Sunderland box as they failed to find the key to unlock the Black Cats' defence. In fact, at times they looked impotent and toothless in the final third.
City dominated the first half and should have been in front when Yaya Toure beat Lee Cattermole in midfield to set up a three-on-one scenario. He squared the ball to Carlos Tevez and with Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet in no-man's land, the Argentine contrived to put the ball over the bar from 12 yards with the goal gaping.
Sunderland offered little at the other end as City dominated possession in the opening 45. However, their defence held firm and the Black Cats offered more in the second half. Despite this, clear-cut chances were few and far between in this entertaining clash until the late drama.