Image source, Reuters

Sam Allardyce is getting a bit frustrated on the bench. He is talking to everyone on the bench and moving around on the spot as he tries to explain something with a lot of hand waving. Adam Johnson on the bench agrees with his boss and chips in with his thoughts. Open forum it seems.

"AWAY YAYA", shouts Joe Hart as Toure heads a corner clear. Steady start to the half, Sunderland the more lively again.

We've seen plenty of this...

Image source, AP

And this... it's been blood and thunder at times.

Image source, EPA

We have two changes, including a debut.

Fernando is on in midfield for Manchester City Kelechi Iheanacho but too much fanfare, we are seeing the first of Wahbi Khazri for Sunderland. Jeremain Lens gets the hook.

Here come the players. All out of the tunnel as one is the Sunderland mantra as the first few in line wait for their team-mates.

So Pep Guardiola, with charisma and style aplenty, will be a huge draw in the Premier League next season.

But just what will he bring? What will his Manchester City look like?

A look at the stats show how prolific his sides are.

At Barca his boys managed an average 654 passes per game and 2.7 goals. City under Manuel Pellegrini have achieved 559 passes and 2.3 goals per game by comparison.

A look at Jan Kirchhoff in Sunderland's midfield. I harshly said he lacked pace (actually I said he looked like a tired seal) but he's been good.

He has seen more ball than anyone else on the pitch.

Some nice moments too. 

Image source, .

Image source, Sunderland

Scuffed? That is incredibly harsh. He took a touch to kill the ball and one to effortlessly steer a shot into the net with the outside of his right foot.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

City can eclipse Manchester United, should they wish, with their financial firepower and they will use that to cash in on the appointment of one of the game's most celebrated and decorated figures. So are they now bigger? In footballing terms the answer is surely 'yes'.

If Manchester United fans felt they were in danger of being left behind before, those fears will only have increased with Guardiola's appointment at City. There was even a suggestion they held off making any sort of approach for fear of it appearing they had been outflanked and beaten to him by their neighbours.

In the hours which followed Pep Guardiola being confirmed as the next Manchester City manager, Phil McNulty analysed what the move means for the city of Manchester. To read it, click here.

On such fine margins matches are won, seasons are defined.

Replays of that chance late in the opening period show just how close Sunderland came as Billy Jones charged in to apply a finish but crashed the post as Joe Hart threw himself at the ball in desperation. 

A good half of football. Plenty of heart on show.

Sunderland peppering the Manchester City area, in comes a corner and it's on top of Joe Hart, punched clear. A superb finish to the half by the home side.

Image source, PA

Again Sunderland come forward, can they change the tone of the half-time team talks. Ball played into Jermain Defoe in the area and he rolls his man expertly, low shot, well saved by Joe Hart but the rebound MUST GO IN... off the post. Billy Jones had a narrow angle to work with, Hart was beaten.

Sunderland attack down the left and it's threatening but Jan Kirchhoff gets into the area to poke the ball out of the path of a team-mate who is lurking to shoot. A frustrating groan from the masses.

A look at the average positions in this match tells a tale of compact against expansive.

The home side (left) are clearly tucking in when the can, making space a rare commodity. A look at the away side shows Bacary Sagna (3) pushed on down the right and Jesus Navas (15), making the pitch big.

Image source, .

Image source, Reuters

The next goal is critical, crucial, vital, you name it. Make no mistake, Sunderland are in this and their graft is admirable. Lee Cattermole with a great slide tackle on Kelechi Iheanacho and forward come the home side again.

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Oh my, what a chance for a debut goal - Lamine Kone. After a £5m move this is a dream start waiting to happen but from eight yards out and central he heads wide.

A good set-piece delivery into the mixer, it has chance written all over it and Kone - sporting number 23 on his first Sunderland outing - is wayward.

A poor return pass from Kelechi Iheanacho in the Sunderland area allows the home side to break. Fabio Borini runs like Red Rum to try to keep the ball alive and forces a throw deep in City's half. Good work rate again by the home side but an over-hit cross sees their momentum ended.

A lovely ball with the outside of his boot by Jan Kirchhoff in Sunderland's midfield, the home crowd love it. He ends up with the ball again and drives forward to take a foul. Sunderland free-kick some 35 yards out.

I'm not being cruel, but Kirchhoff looks to have the pace of a seal. A tired seal.

Sunderland are struggling to get Jermain Defoe into the game and he has had just six touches in nearly 25 minutes (left).

Image source, .

Kelechi Iheneacho is having a quiet start to events too, with just eight touches (right). Sergio Aguero on the other hand is well involved and goes close again, his shot from 20 yards deflects onto the roof of the net.