Sunderland vs. Manchester City: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Phil Bardsley scored the only goal as Sunderland defeated Manchester City 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday in the Premier League.

Bardsley struck in the 21st minute to give Sunderland their fourth straight home match against City in the league. All four wins have come by the 1-0 scoreline.

City lost for the fourth time in six away matches this season. The Blues have not won at the Stadium of Light since August 2008.

Following the midweek win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, City manager Manuel Pellegrini made five changes to his squad. Javi Garcia, James Milner, Aleksandar Kolarov, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott came in for Fernandinho, David Silva, Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Matija Nastasic. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Joe Hart remained on the bench, with Costel Pantilimon starting in his place.

Sunderland, coming off back-to-back home wins for the first time this year, made two changes from the win over Southampton midweek in the Capital One Cup. Manager Gus Poyet drafted in Steven Fletcher and Sebastian Larsson for Jozy Altidore and Craig Gardner.

Both teams settled in slowly. Chances were scarce in the opening minutes, and when the first goal arrived, it came from an unlikely source.

In the 21st minute, Sunderland defender Wes Brown played a direct ball over the top for full-back Phil Bardsley. The former Manchester United man took advantage of a mix-up in the Manchester City defence, steadied himself in space inside City's box and shaped his shot around keeper Costel Pantilimon for a 1-0 lead.

It was the second goal inside a week for Bardsley, who also scored against Southampton in Sunderland's Capital One Cup victory midweek. Before that, however, Bardsley had not scored since May, having fallen out of favour with former manager Paolo Di Canio following an embarrassing incident in a casino over the summer.

City tried to respond quickly. In the 32nd minute, Aleksandar Kolarov passed to Sergio Aguero at the back post, but Aguero's header flew off target. Two minutes later, Alvaro Negredo shot wide from about 25 yards.

More often, though, Sunderland frustrated City's attacks with disciplined, organised defending. In response, Pellegrini introduced winger Jesus Navas at half-time in place of Garcia. Navas contributed immediately, crossing from the right for a Negredo header in the 46th minute.

Navas then had a couple of chances of his own in the 50th minute. Aguero tore down the left and cut back for Navas in the middle, but the Spaniard's first shot was blocked, and so was his second.

But City's momentum stalled after that initial burst as Sunderland maintained their defensive shape. As the half progressed, the visitors' point of attack drifted farther out.

Milner blasted over the bar from distance in the 62nd minute, and Micah Richards rolled a low shot straight at Mannone four minutes later. In the 68th minute, Aguero forced a fingertip save from Mannone after rolling off his marker. 

Pellegrini responded with his final two substitutions in the 71st minute. Edin Dzeko replaced Alvaro Negredo, and Pablo Zabaleta replaced Micah Richards. Dzeko contributed moments after his introduction, forcing Mannone into a save with a fierce shot from Nasri's lay-off.

City continued to exert pressure throughout the closing minutes. Dzeko directed a powerful header wide of the target in the 80th minute, and Kolarov ripped a half-volley narrowly wide two minutes later.

But Sunderland held firm in the face of City's 22 shots, 14 corners and 63 percent possession. With the win, the Black Cats moved onto seven points but remained in 19th place. City, with 19 points, are seventh, with eighth-placed Manchester United set to host Arsenal later Sunday.

Grades

Player	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Vito Mannone	8
Ondre Celustka	7
Phillip Bardsley	8
Wes Brown	8
John O'Shea	8
Ki Sung-Yueng	7
Sebastian Larsson	8
Jack Colback	7
Adam Johnson	7
Emanuele Giaccherini	6
Steven Fletcher	6
Craig Gardner (for Giaccherini 72')	6
Jozy Altidore (for Fletcher 77')	6
Fabio Borini (for Johnson 87')	6

Player	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Costel Pantilimon	6
Micah Richards	6
Martin Dimichelis	6
Joleon Lescott	6
Aleksandar Kolarov	7
James Milner	6
Yaya Toure	6
Javi Garcia	5
Samir Nasri	7
Sergio Aguero	6
Alvaro Negredo	6
Jesus Navas (for Garcia 46')	7
Edin Dzeko (for Negredo 71')	6
Pablo Zabaleta (for Richards 71')	6

Up next

After international week, Sunderland play at Stoke on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Man City host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Nov. 24.