Vergini out of firing line
To say that Santiago Vergini has struggled to cope with the pace and physicality of the English game would be something of an understatement. I don't think he has been as bad as many seem desperate to have us believe, but he has obviously struggled.
In this one, though, he was taken out of the centre of the defence and used instead at right back - and looked all the better for it. I'm not saying that he has suddenly found his calling or anything here. He is clearly a centre back by trade and that is where he will end up playing, whether it's at Sunderland or wherever.
But he looks to have have benefited from being taken away from the heart of the action and most frantic area of the pitch. He had more time and far more margin for error. If he is going to have a future at Sunderland, perhaps a sustained spell at full back is the best way to ease him in.
Forgive Vito!
Vito Mannone's fumble for Manchester City's equaliser was cruel and costly, but it was only a mistake and one that shouldn't be held against the lovable Italian. Let's be honest - Sunderland are not in the position we are because of poor goalkeeping.
In fact, Mannone has done more than most this season to make it even remotely bearable.
Unfortunate it most definitely was, but it wasn't unforgivable by any stretch of the imagination.
A striker!
Connor Wickham took the headlines and fairly so given his goals and overall performance. You can say it was overdue if you want, but that's a debate for another time.
The most promising things about his goals was the nature of them. One was sniffed out in the six-yard box and the other a crisp and clinical finish when put through one-on-one. They were the goals of a true striker, and that is something we have not seen anywhere near enough of this season.