Manchester City Vs Sunderland: Player Ratings

Vito Mannone - 7

Didn't have a vast amount to do, oddly, and was left helpless with City's two stunning opening goals. Will perhaps have wondered if he could have kept out the third - he got a hand to it - but for the most part he controlled his box. Excellent distribution, too.

Phil Bardsley - 7

A warrior, as usual. Confident on the ball and adept defensively, helped form a strong part of the resistance act that, for all bar two or three mad minutes, kept City comfortably at bay.

Marcos Alonso - 7

See above and add that he was impressive going forward. Solid performance.

John O'Shea - 8

The pick of Sunderland's defenders. Scarcely troubled and commanding throughout. A real captain's performance.

Wes Brown - 7

Strong as ever, but did find himself dragged up field in the build up to the crucial second goal, meaning Sunderland were backtracking and unable to cut out Kolarov's cross. Otherwise excellent.

Lee Cattermole - 10

Utterly outstanding. More below.

Jack Colback - 7

Given an unfamiliar role in a huge game and tackled it with aplomb.

Adam Johnson - 6

Laid on the perfect ball as an assist for Sunderland's goal, but otherwise struggled to make an impact. Seemed to be getting the ball too deep. Substituted on the hour, so minor was his effectiveness.

Seb Larsson - 9

Excellent. Never stopped running and proved to be a vital communicator and organiser alongside Cattermole. One of his best games for Sunderland. Taken off on the hour having ran his heart out.

Ki Sung-Yueng - 9

Silky smooth and would have been mobbed had his 35-yard strike thundered into the top corner. He just oozes class.

Fabio Borini - 10

Superb display. Could have doubled the advantage were in not for a stunning recovery tackle by Vincent Kompany, but Borini had already won that battle once. His goal was superbly taken and his refusal to let the chance die was symptomatic of his energy and drive yesterday. A Wearside hero, even in defeat.

Craig Gardner - 7

Offered energy and helped gee up a side that was crestfallen having gone behind so dramatically.

Steven Fletcher - 6

Actually led the line fairly well when he came on, challenging in the air and linking up with others well. But, when his big moment came, he lacked confidence. Will rue that late missed opportunity for a long while.

Emanuele Giaccherini - 6

Not hugely in the game in the 15 minutes or so he was on the field.

Man of the Match: Lee Cattermole

Sunderland's chances of victory were always going to hinge on how well Lee Cattermole performed and, for 45 minutes yesterday afternoon, he was astonishingly good. Yaya Toure and co. could scarcely breath for how well they were suffocated by Sunderland's former captain, and Cattermole was at the heart of everything good for the Black Cats yesterday. Even in the second half, he rallied his side and was essentially flawless before being taken off for the more attacking Giaccherini. A superb display, and the culmination of his long journey from the depths of despair that he encountered under Paolo Di Canio.