Sunderland

3.08

• 
  14

  0

  4.00

  Simon Mignolet Top of the Match

  Produced three excellent stops in the first quarter of the game, twice from Yaya Toure and once from Silva, to keep Sunderland level in the first half. Made further stops from Aguero after halftime to keep the Black Cats ahead.

• 
  4

  1

  3.50

  Matthew Kilgallon

  Just the former Leeds man's third start of the season, and he looked decidedly rusty when defending high up the field. Was always going to come off worse against Aguero's pace but stuck to his task, making some great last-ditch blocks and tackles when under the cosh.

• 
  5

  0

  4.00

  Carlos Javier Cuéllar

  Sunderland's captain in John O'Shea's absence and the former Aston Villa man was a pillar of excellence for the hosts. Won headers, timed tackles to perfection and threw his body at everything inside the box to seal a memorable win for his side.

• 
  5

  1

  3.00

  Danny Rose

  Martin O'Neill wants to bring the Tottenham loanee to the Stadium of Light permanently, and he turned in another solid game at the back, shackling Milner and Kolo Toure on his flank.

• 
  6

  0

  3.00

  Sebastian Larsson

  Deployed deep in midfield with Colback in an attempt to soak up the pressure coming through the middle. Proved tough to beat and also showed good technique going forward, picking out attacking teammates with clever passes.

• 
  1

  4

  2.00

  Craig Gardner

  Was given less help from Johnson, and found himself often outnumbered as Zabaleta attacked at will. Was overrun for much of the game with City's best openings coming from his flank.

• 
  2

  1

  2.50

  Jack Colback

  A steady presence in the middle. Martin O'Neill has bemoaned a lack of physicality in his midfield in the past, but the Killingworth-born player brought that to the table, snapping into City's leading lights.

• 
  16

  0

  3.50

  Adam Johnson

  Grabbed a goal against his former club, taking full advantage of poor positioning from Joe Hart. Was otherwise frustrating, with a lack of final product and tentative tracking back occasionally putting his side in trouble.

• 
  7

  0

  3.50

  James McClean

  Tireless down the left flank as he chased Kolo Toure back throughout the game. As a result was slightly less prominent in attack, but still played a couple of decent balls across the pitch.

• 
  8

  0

  3.00

  Stéphane Sessegnon

  Buzzed around City's defenders putting them under pressure in an attempt to force a mistake. Should have settled the game late on but prodded at Hart when clear on goal.

• 
  6

  0

  2.50

  Steven Fletcher

  Held the ball up strongly when fed and called Hart into action with a low drive in the first half. Provided a more supporting role to his side as the fulcrum in attack.

Substitutions

• 
  3

  0

  Phil Bardsley

  A late replacement for Rose.

• 
  3

  1

  2.50

  Fraizer Campbell

  Came on for Larsson to prompt a tactical switch, and should have scored his side's second, but shot straight at Hart.

Manchester City

2.42

• 
  5

  11

  2.00

  Joe Hart

  Woefully out of position for the hosts' only goal, but kept his side in the game late on with one-on-one saves from Sessegnon and Campbell.

• 
  1

  13

  1.50

  Vincent Kompany

  Rattled the cross bar from Silva's corner in the opening stages, but looked leggy on his return from a groin injury. Booked early in the game and was lucky to avoid a dismissal for clattering McClean in the second half.

• 
  9

  5

  3.00

  Pablo Zabaleta

  Had his head cut open by a stray Fletcher boot early in the game but persevered through with a bandage across his head and continually charged forward, creating a couple of openings that were not put away.

• 
  6

  7

  2.00

  Kolo Toure

  A willing runner at right back but lacked the composure when in dangerous positions to contribute. With McClean tired from chasing him back, was given few problems in defense.

• 
  13

  6

  3.00

  Matija Nastasic

  Held things together at the back largely, putting in a display of strength and composure. Handled Fletcher well and brought the ball out from the back nicely, often picking the right pass to move things forward.

• 
  0

  10

  2.50

  James Milner

  Ran and ran and ran, but lacked any real technique, wasting a couple of crossing opportunities as well as hitting an effort from a free kick well over the crossbar. Struggled to beat the pacey Rose.

• 
  0

  12

  1.50

  Javi García Flop of the Match

  Completely anonymous until booked late on in the opening period and got little better in the second. Not the player City needed on this occasion.

• 
  10

  8

  3.50

  David Silva

  A rare bright spark for the champions. Silva was at his typical twinkling best with fine footwork, intelligent passing and creative running all heavily featured. Unlucky to see Mignolet spectacularly keep out his close-range effort.

• 
  7

  7

  2.50

  Yaya Touré

  Looked labored in midfield, but still brought two great saves out of Mignolet. Grew frustrated with the terrier-like Colback snapping around him and resorted to fouling the flame-haired midfielder.

• 
  3

  25

  2.50

  Sergio Agüero

  Had too much pace for Cuellar and Killgallon to handle, but failed to finish off any chances afforded to him. Came out wide in an attempt to create for others, but this limited City's attacking threat.

• 
  6

  22

  3.00

  Carlos Tévez

  Dropped deeper and looked to create chances for Aguero. Found his compatriot with a few excellent passes, although Aguero could not finish any of the chances given to him. Brought off for Dzeko in the 72nd minute.

Substitutions

• 
  6

  5

  Joleon Lescott

  Thrown on as an emergency striker in stoppage time.

• 
  7

  3

  Gareth Barry

  A late sub for Kolo Toure with City desperate for a goal.

• 
  29

  5

  2.00

  Edin Dzeko

  Thrown on with 20 minutes remaining, and hit one effort at Mignolet but was otherwise a million miles away from his super-sub best.