Aguero strikes again to seal victory for Man City against Sunderland

Dominant first half displays have been the catalyst for two 4-1 Man City victories when the sides have met already, the first of them coming in the Capital One Cup towards the end of Dick Advocaat’s Sunderland reign and the second coming on Boxing Day at the Etihad Stadium.

City are still fighting to win in all competitions, but Allardyce said: “They have played more games than anyone this season”.

As it was, City stayed in touch with leaders Leicester City, while Sunderland remain four points behind fourth-bottom Norwich City.

City were more assured for most of the second-half, but wobbled again at the end of it Having created little of note, Sunderland nearly scored twice in the space of a few seconds as Jones’ shot was tipped away at full stretch by Hart.

Allardyce said: “I think it’s the most disappointed I’ve been since I’ve been here with the result ending up as it is because we deserved so much more”.

City had to fight all the way to the whistle to claim their win on Wearside in what was their ninth game in 32 days.

Pellegrini said: “It was a very hard game and I am very pleased about the result because it was our third game in a week”.

City return to league action on the back of a week in which they secured a League Cup final berth and progressed to the last 16 of the FA Cup.

Manchester City had 51% of the possession in comparison to Sunderland’s 49%. Manchester City will face Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 28 for the first of what could be four pieces of silverware. We can’t press high every game because we have so many games it’s impossible.

Lamine Kone had a decent chance for the hosts in the 34th minute.

The Ivory Coast worldwide joined the Black Cats from French club Lorient during the January transfer window and he is now tasked with helping Sam Allardyce’s side climb out of the Premier League’s relegation zone. “That’s why I told the press, I told the players, and I spoke with the club two weeks ago saying that I would do it”. “We have to produce the same intensity in all our games to get points and I’m sure we will get them against other teams”.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce will have stressed to his players repeatedly that they could not afford to give the Argentinian any space, but his right back Billy Jones cannot have been listening.