Sunderland were given a reality check this afternoon at the SOL suffering a 3-0 loss to Manchester City. Anyone getting carried away and dreaming of Europe after our encouraging win at Spurs last week shouldn’t dig out their passport just yet. A brace for Shawn Wright Phillips and a late first half opener from alleged former SAFC transfer target Stephen Ireland sealed the lads’ fate.

There were a few surprises in the team sheet as Steed Malbranque was included despite suffering a knock on Wednesday, but club captain Dean Whitehead was not named in the squad. Maybe he will be on his way before midnight tomorrow.

The back five remained unchanged with Craig Gordon in goal, Chimbonda, Collins, Nos and Bardo in defence. The continued absence of Tainio and omission of Whitehead meant that Sunderland’s midfield looked attack minded but lacking in steel. Malbranque started on the right, Reid and Leadbitter in the centre with Richardson on the left. Up front Cisse and Diouf.

We started OK with Leadbitter having a shot curl wide. Malbranque and Chimbonda showed their class with some nice interplay down the right hand side. Chimbonda got past his man and fired a cross over which beat Joe Hart and almost crept in.

It was during the opening half an hour where it became clear that the referee was useless. He played an advantage to Sunderland but then brought it back once Diouf squirmed clear with the ball. Then on a few occasions the Man City defence hammered Malbranque with some heavy challenges which were not punished despite Dunne and Co taking all of the man and none of the ball. One incident incensed Roy Keane; Richard Dunne body checked Steed after he had knocked the ball past him but the ref didn’t even give a foul.

To make matters worse City took the lead right before half time when Stephen Ireland pounced to fire a scruffy shot into the bottom corner. Craig Gordon got a weak hand to the shot but failed to turn it wide.

At half time Anton Ferdinand was introduced to the crowd to draw the lottery. The only change at half time for Sunderland was Cisse changing his boots, the red ones he wore in the first half mustn’t have been up too much as he came out for the second half in bright yellow ones.

Man City doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half when Wright-Phillips was left unmarked at the back post to convert Jo’s cross from close range. The defending in the run up to the goal was poor with three Sunderland players lunging at the ball allowing City to pass round them.

The third and final goal came minutes later and again could have been defended better. A long ball over the top from Michael Ball allowed the lively Wright-Phillips to burst past Danny Collins before touching the ball past Craig Gordon who charged off his line but got nowhere near the ball. Phil Bardsley tried in vain to get back and stop the ball crossing the line but he failed to do so and nearly tore the goal net down in the process.

3-0 down and thirty minutes to go Keano made three changes. Cisse, Diouf and Leadbitter made way for Stokes, Murphy and Healy.

None of the substitutes made too much of an impact though Stokes at least seemed keen to get on the ball. The second half was too easy for City as they knocked it about comfortably leaving the lads chasing shadows. Frustration set in and we picked up a few bookings as there were a few late challenges from Healy and Bardsley.

Final Score: Sunderland 0 Manchester City 3

ALS Man of the Match: Steed Malbranque

Aidan Crowe

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