Manchester City keep pace with Leicester City at the top. What a grind that was for them. Sunderland will comfortably stay up if they repeat that display.

Sergio Aguero the difference on the night. We've heard that one before have we not?

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This has been hard work from Manchester City. A good side plays badly and wins as the saying goes. They are a minute away from doing so.

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Big chance as a scramble breaks out in the six-yard box. Joe Hart is out of his goal having tried to punch a cross but as a header loops back toward the empty net, Nicolas Otamendi is on hand to head off the line while under pressure.

A colossal scream from Yann M'Villa as he kicks the underside of Sergio Aguero's boot. Sometimes that happens when a striker charges down a clearance. Aguero is in the book despite putting on his best innocent face.

We will have five added minutes.

Manchester City have barely got out of their half since the break.

Another home attack, the fans are roaring one into the net, Joe Hart is off his line to punch a cross. Yann M'Vila attacks the cleared ball some 25 yards out and crashes it over the bar.

Sunderland come forward in waves, Patrick van Aanholt gets in behind and forces a corner. In it comes, scrambled away by Joe Hart. Another corner, the ball drops 12 yards out and Nicolas Otamendi executes a brave, brave block as it was slammed goalwards.

A last throw of the dice as Dame N'Doye is on for his Sunderland debut, Fabio Borini makes way.

What would Sam Allardyce give for a good finisher and a bit more guile? His side deserve praise tonight.

Billy Jones - who hit the post in the first half - gets forward and has a bang from 20 yards. He fires it over bodies and Joe Hart has to save smartly.

In comes the corner, Sunderland deserve something, IT DROPS FOR JOHN O'SHEA... over the bar. He couldn't get his knee over the ball from 10 yards out.

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Adam Johnson in, Lee Cattermole out. Jesus Navas is in some pain, clutching his hamstring.

He's coming off, Raheem Sterling complete with Jason Lee haircut is on. Well, he's on his way to Lee status.

Sunderland are in danger of losing the momentum they have enjoyed for the best part of 45 minutes in this game. They have been unlucky when you think about the deflected cross which created the opener and if you throw in the fact they rattled the post.

It's been efficient by City to say the least. A big 15 to come.

Lovely feet from Fernandinho to free space down the right. Forward he comes, hacked down. In comes the free-kick and the impressive Jan Kirchhoff gets a good defensive header to concede a corner.

Now that is is a 50-50 and that is a way to endear yourself to your new fans. Lamine Kone goes in on Yaya Toure and wins the ball but clatters into the body of the Ivorian, leaving him in a heap on the floor. Toure is still. He had every ounce of wind knocked out of him.

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Martin Demichelis is not friends with Jermain Defoe. He takes offence at a challenge and for the second time in a 30-second period comes face to face with the striker.

The City player thinks he was elbowed, it looked like a fair challenge but suddenly everyone wants a piece of the melee. Joe Hart is holding Defoe back. Get on with it lads, nothing worth fighting over.

Lee Cattermole looks to pounce on a dropping ball 20 yards out but he doesn't have the pace to meet it on the volley and being a split second late means he balloons this some 30 yards over the bar.

It will be as you were if things stay the same. Leicester lead Liverpool so the top two will remain unchanged.

Tame effort from Sergio Aguero from 18 yards, straight at Vito Mannone as it travels through bodies.

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Tugged his shirt, didn't work, chopped him. As clear a yellow as you will see for Billy Jones as David Silva has too many tricks in the locker.

Wahbi Kahzri is on the left side of Sunderland's attack as he makes his debut. He drops back into midfield to make a five when Manchester City have the ball.

Quiet so far though, a lot of jogging, he's not quite into the frenetic nature of this one.

On average, Sunderland players have completed 68% of their passes. They need that number to rise, a little more quality and care with the ball could get a point here.

Sergio Aguero finds Yaya Toure who has a glimpse of goal but he takes too many touches and cannot get a shot off.

This has changed markedly since the early stages. Suddenly Sunderland are bettering the territory.

In comes a free-kick delivery, cleared by the visitors.

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