Manchester City Need Win Over Sunderland To Stay On Top
Premier League action returns to the Stadium of Light, in match week 19, with Sunderland set to host Manchester City, on New Year’s Day, 2012. City will be hoping to stay atop the league table with a win against the Black Cats who have shown resurgence after the exit of Steve Bruce from the helm.
To find out what time the match between Sunderland and Manchester City will kick off, take a look at the EPL schedule.
Sunderland are coming off a 1-1 stalemate against Everton, at the same venue, in match week 18. Everton dominated the game but failed to score when it mattered. In the end it was a fair result though Sunderland would have felt aggrieved with a refereeing decision that gave Everton the equaliser. The home side took the lead against the run of play when Stephane Sessegnon offloaded the ball to Jack Colback on the left of the area after cutting through the middle Colback’s low shot was deflected into the goal up and over Tim Howard by a lunging Sylvain Distin. Everton were handed a gift by referee Howard Webb when Leon Osman dribbled his way into the area and went down without any apparent challenge from the Sunderland defenders. Leighton Baines thumped the ball home from the spot.
In match week 18, Man City were held to a goalless draw away at West Brom. It was a rare sight to see Manchester City dropping points and failing to score. All credit goes to the West Brom back-line who were outstanding and the result was well-deserved by The Hawthorns’ side. The result has left City adrift of Man United only on goal difference, and with United in rampaging form that difference could soon disappear. Man City dominated possession during the game but time and again the Baggies reminded the table leaders that they were in the game too.
Head to head, in the last 10 years, Sunderland and Manchester City have met in 20 league games, with the Black Cats winning on 4 occasions and City on 11, with the remaining 5 games ending in a stalemate. The last time these teams met was in April 2011; that match hosted by City was won 5-0 by the hosts.
Sunderland have won and drawn 3 each while losing the remaining 4 of their last 10 league matches, while Man City have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches.
Currently in 15th place on the league table, Sunderland have hosted 9 home games, this season, winning 2, while drawing ad losing all three remaining games; City who are at the top of the table have had 5 wins, 3 draws and a loss, in their 9 away games.
Sunderland’s starting eleven against Everton: Westwood, O’Shea, Bramble, Brown, Bardsley, Larsson, Cattermole, Vaughan, Richardson, Sessegnon, Bendtner.
Man City’ starting eleven against West Brom: Hart, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Clichy, Toure Yaya, Milner, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Jinxatious is the Chief Editor of SportingAttitude.com
An avid writer, on an eclectic range of subjects, he brings to bear editorial experience garnered with a national newspaper in South-East Asia. He also has sportscasting experience, as a cricket commentator, and his passion for sport extends beyond Cricket, to Football, Tennis, and Olympic Sports.
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