Sunderland's tactic here is clear - defend in numbers, soak up this pressure, win the ball and find Jermain Defoe on the break. This time it almost works - the ball forward finds Defoe galloping towards the box but Willy Caballero is out quickly, gets there first and clears.

Image source, Reuters

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

A couple of early observations from the Pep Guardiola era.

When City had a goal kick just before going in front, central defenders John Stones and Aleksandar Kolorov took up positions either side of the penalty area, virtually on the goal-line, with Fernandinho splitting them on the edge of the area. The positions are repeated in free play, with both full-backs pushing higher up the field.

David Silva is playing deeper, in a similar role Xavi used to fulfil at Barcelona.

And every time Stones comes near the bench, Guardiola is in his ear.

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City winger Nolito likes to cut on to his right foot when he gets the ball on the left and does it again here, getting the better of Sunderland new boy Donald Love, before flashing a shot wide.

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This game is being played in Sunderland's half, as this graphic showing the average position of everyone's touches shows. City are using their wingers - Raheem Sterling (number seven) and Nolito nine) - a lot and everyone else is pushing up too.

Here come City again, with Nolito finding space down the left and cutting into the area before finding Sergio Aguero. He is crowded out before he can let fly but still feeds Raheem Sterling, who curls his shot over the bar.

City have had 76% of possession so far and, as that statistic implies, they are controlling this game at the moment. Sunderland seem to have settled down at the back, though, and Patrick van Aanholt has managed to hold up Raheem Sterling of late without fouling him.

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Sunderland break forward this time and Lynden Gooch fires in a dangerous low ball from the left. It is behind Jermain Defoe, however, and rolls across the City area before being cleared.

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City force a corner this time and again Sunderland cannot clear their lines. The ball drops to Sergio Aguero in the box but it comes a long way down and he cannot quite get hold of his first-time shot. Vito Mannone pounces on it.

Vieira 151: Sterling with an assist after 3 minutes. Looking up.

Peter Collins: Well that isn't an ideal start for Sunderland. What on earth was van Aanholt doing?!

Not much of a response from Sunderland so far. They remain under pressure and cannot get out of their half.

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Patrick van Aanholt lets fly and it takes a deflection. Willy Caballero elects to punch it away.

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A bit of a mix-up at the back by Manchester City after a bad ball by Aleksandar Kolarov. Fernandinho slides in and fouls Jermain Defoe, and Sunderland have a free-kick in a dangerous position.

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The Black Cats get us started.

Right then, less than five minutes to go until kick-off, and here come the teams. There are some very big banners on the pitch at Etihad Stadium, held aloft by balloons. Will Sunderland spoil the party?

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Image source, Rex Features

A lot of attention on City's team today, but intriguing that Lamine Kone, who is a target for Everton, starts for Sunderland despite telling the club on Friday that he wants to leave.

The 27-year-old Ivorian joined the Black Cats in January and helped them avoid Premier League relegation last season.

Kone says his decision comes after the club failed to offer him the improved deal that they said they would.

"It is therefore with much regret that I can only assume that I do not figure in David Moyes' future plans," he said.

Image source, Rex Features

BBC pundit Alan Shearer is looking forward to seeing how Pep Guardiola gets on in the Premier League, and he does not think he will find it too easy.

In his latest BBC Sport column, Shearer writes: "it is going to be very interesting to see how Guardiola gets on in English football because the variety of styles you get in the Premier League will be very different to the football he has experienced where he has managed before.

"In Spain and Germany the vast majority of teams want to play on the floor but here it changes every week and there are teams who will try to be physical against City or kick it long."

Shearer still thinks City will be champions, mind.