City are still trying to play their way through the Sunderland defence, but are finding space and time hard to come by. David Moyes' side are pressing well, albeit almost exclusively in their own half - Pep Guardiola will be impressed.

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Sunderland win a free-kick just inside the City half and launch it towards the box, aiming for Lamine Kone. The home side deal with it, though, and clear their lines.

Kevin de Bruyne has been quiet so far, by his own high standards, but he flashes in a dangerous low cross from the left that Sergio Aguero almost gets on the end of - Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone was alert enough to dive out and push it to safety.

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City are quickly on to the attack and Raheem Sterling combines well with David Silva inside the box. Sterling sets up Sergio Aguero, who tries to side-foot home, but Sunderland have a lot of defenders back and Younes Kaboul blocks.

No changes from either side at the break - City get the second half under way.

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Further to my post from 26 mins, City's full-backs don't just push up, they push in, to virtually create another line in midfield.

From there, the genuine wide players, Raheem Sterling and Nolito, are asked to get close to the touchline - at least that is what Guardiola was yelling at Nolito from the other side of the pitch.

The result has been almost constant City possession.

It hasn't created any clear chances as such but Sunderland are having to work very hard to prevent them.

It's kind of Louis van Gaal, but with a purpose.

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Tom Wilkinson: Only 3 successful passes into the box in 40 mins - tedious tiki taka tripe on toast.

Wale Ibraheem: I'm aware most tip City to win the title. With what I've seen in 30 mins,they won't win the title with this slow passing game.

In midfield, mostly...

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

No time wasted in Sunderland's half-time break.

As the whistle sounded to bring the opening 45 minutes to an end, a member of David Moyes' backroom team strode onto the pitch to give each player a drink.

Does the minute it takes to get to the dressing room matter that much?

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Sam Charlton: Players not rushing to the referee after a decision they don't like. Brilliant from the FA and the PL bringing in that rule.

More pressure from Sunderland, who are putting a lot of balls into the box. Willy Caballero and his defenders are not always convincing with their clearances but at the moment City are keeping them at bay.

Our first booking of the game - Lynden Gooch is shown a yellow card for pulling back Raheem Sterling as City look to break.

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Willy Caballero makes his first real save of the game after City cannot clear their lines. The ball drops nicely for that renowned penalty-box predator Jermain Defoe inside the area, but Caballero makes a fine reflex stop.

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This is actually a decent spell for Sunderland. Jack Rodwell finds space for a shot, and it is deflected wide for a corner.

They do, and Willy Caballero catches it. Well done.

The main reason City keeper Willy Caballero is in the side is because he is better with his feet, playing out of the area, and he does pretty well here, taking a confident touch then spraying it out to the left to launch another attack. He might have some work to do with his hands now, mind, because Sunderland have a free-kick out on the left and are going to put it in the box...

Daniel Woodley: Pep Guardiola doesn't need a new keeper. He has his own Manuel Neuer at @ManCity, external in @willy_caballero, external!! Brilliant defending

City's possession is still hovering around 75% but they have not opened Sunderland up for a while now. Sunderland are more direct when they get the ball and they have just tried to get forward again down the left... but Patrick van Aanholt's cross did not beat the first defender.

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David Ing: From memory @SunderlandAFC, external first game last season was against @LCFC, external who went on to win @premierleague, external sign of things to come?

You're right David and Sunderland lost 4-2.