Sunderland against Manchester City

Foru added minutes....

City going long now to try and snatch an equaliser.

This will be a big blow for Mancini if City go down here.

Now Bellamy is called for handball as it brushes his arm. Fair enough.

Richardson can't beat the wall and then City's break is stopped by a foul on De Jong.

Hutton wins a free kick off Bellamy and that is a poor decision. Bellamy won the ball. Free kick on the edge of the box wide right.

Henderson wins a corner off VIeira.

Sunderland change: Campbell off, Bardsley on.

Some respite for Sunderland as Campbell gets down the right. Lescott goes across to boot clear. Richardson is down with cramp.

Now Johnson swings in a decent ball but Barry is flagged offside at the back post. That's poor.

Gordon does well to grab the ball off the feet of Lescott as De Jong's header fell to the defender two yards out.

Tevez muscles Mensah off the ball and feeds Bellamy, Hutton slides in but misses the ball and Gordon is out to block the shot with his legs.

Two terrible efforts in the space of a second as Kompany misses his kick from the corner, then De Jong blazes over.

Hutton does well to pinch the ball off Bellamy's toes as Tevez played him in.

Zabaleta's ball in is cleared by Turner.

Sunderland change: Zenden for Malbranque. One old stager for another.

Santa Cruz controls beautifully before flicking to Tevez but his shot spins wide off his boot.

Bent carves out a chance for Richardson but a great block from De Jong on the edge of the box means Given isn't called into action.

Here comes Johnson and off goes SWP.

City are piling the pressure on now and it looks like Adam Johnson is going to get 20 minutes.

Bellamy crosses from the right and Tevez turns it goalwards at the near post but Craig Gordon makes a point blank save to preserve Sunderland's lead.

Great work from Tevez to spin inside Turner and feed Vieira but he returns the ball and loses the momentum of the move.

The rain is lashing down at the Stadium of Light now and mistakes and slips are becoming more evident as a result.

Barry is given offside after Vieira's through ball. He was looking across the line and shouldn't have been.

Turner sticks to his task well to tackle Tevez, who has been distinctly average today.

Bellamy gives it his look of indignation after Mensah went dowbn as he breezed past him to latch onto a Santa Cruz pass. On reflection, it was never a free kick.

Here comes Vieira, in place of Micah Richards.

Malbranque lofts a lovely looking ball for Bent who had pulled off the back of Kompany but the defender sticks a boot out and intercepts.

SWP gets to the byline and fizzes a ball across but it had edged out of play.

Richardson hauls back De Jong after he nicked the ball. No booking, perhaps luckily.

Henderson curls one to the back post and Lescott nods away from four yards out. Malbranque's follow up shot squirms off his boot and goes well wide.

Good work from Campbell now as he dances round SWP and Richards. Richards has already been booked remember.

Barry and Meyler clash after Sunderland try to take a free kick quickly. Meyler shoved Barry, and Barry hit back with a butt to the chest. What does Foy do here? Yellows for both.

SWP is fouled by a combo of Meyler and Malbranque.

Bent wastes another chance to shoot by taking an extra touch on the edge of the box. A good start to the second period.

City showing plenty more in the opening six minutes of this half than they did in the entire opening 45 minutes. Bellamy goes close now as he tries to catch Gordon out at the near post with a shot instead of a cross.

Another save from Gordon as SWP turns Ferdinand and shoots. Corner.

Great chance for City as Santa Cruz is slipped in on goal by Tevez but Gordon is out to make himself big and save.

Good break from Bent, who is faced with two defenders, he backheels for Campbell and he charges into the box but his cross spins into Given's arms.

Good ball into the box from Richards and Mensah hesitates slightly after chesting it down before Ferdinand hoofs clear.

Tevez takes an early whack from Mensah before Richardson fires the ball out of play when he was looking for Bent.

Jordan Henderson is on for Sunderland, in place of Kenwyne Jones, as we begin the second half...

That's half time and a deserved lead for Sunderland. In truth they should be more than 1-0 up. I expect to see much more from City in the second half.

Campbell is upended in the box by Lescott but he doesn't complain too much about wanting a penalty.

Jones tries an eye of a needle pass but it sails through to Given. City need a rocket at half time. Wonder if Mancini does them?

Lovely interplay between Malbranque and Ferdinand down the left. the left back is flagged offside before Given saves his cross.

Richardson very nearly finds Jones but Lescott steps in. Sunderland ending the first half as they started it. On the front foot.

Bent gets it all wrong when he's fed by Malbranque inside the area. He wants to get back onto his right and wastes the chance.

Another yellow, this time for SWP as he clips Meyler with a late one. Not much protest from the winger.

Lovely break away from Campbell and Malbranque. They get 60 yards upfield and win a corner.

Hutton is down but Bellamy plays on and wins acorner. Barry flew into an aerial challenge with his feet up and caught Hutton on the knee. Nasty.

Bent cuts in from the left and gets his shot wrong but nearly gets another chance after the ball gets stuck under the stretching Lescott's foot. Kompany clears.

Good football from Sunderland as Richardson skips onto Hutton's pass. He gets to the byline but is crowded out by Lescott.

Richardson's free kick is tame to say the least. It dribbles apologetically wide.

Some Sunderland players were screaming for a red but though it was high, his foot came down before he caught Malbranque. It still looked painful mind.

Richards is going to get booked here for a horrible tackle on Malbranque. He's missed the ball and upended the Frenchman and will deservedly be booked.

Wayne Bridge is coming off. He doesn't look injured but he must be. Santa Cruz is on.

Excellent tracking back from young Meyler as he hunts down De Jong's ball from Bridge.

Barry's missed a great chance. A total tangle in the area falls at his feet and with his right foot he sends it wide of the post from ten yards.

Tevez flicks the ball right out of play. Sums City up in this first half.

Richards gets into the area in space and looks to pull the ball back for Tevez but Turner read it well and brings it clear.

Campbell jinks his way into the area from the left and gets a good connection on the shot but the direction was sorely lacking.

SWP's cross is too deep for Bellamy, who is getting some stick from the home fans due to his Newcastle connections.

Jones drags a good shooting chance wide after a neat one-two with Bent. They are troubling City in the early stages.

Turner recovers his own mistake after he booted the ball against Tevez and it ran away into Bellamy's path. A good tackle averts the danger.

Sunderland herry CIty and Kompany clips a simple ball right out of play. Mancini does not look happy.

More pressure as Campbell and Bent combine to release Malbranque and his shot is deflected behind for a corner.

Jones is struggling a bit after taking a knock, demonstrated by his wild pass for Bent that is taken on the full by Given.

Sunderland rebuild from the corner and Campbell has a go but gets it all wrong, then Jones meets another cross but can't get enough power on his header.

Decent exchange between Campbell and Hutton before the latter crosses. Richards gets a flick and Sunderland win a corner.

Wright-Phillips gets pretty much his first touch and he gives it to Tevez but his shot is weak and dribbles through to Gordon.

The game is held up for a minute while Given gets some new boots on.

A strong run from Micah Richards sees him into the penalty area but Richardson does well to block his route and though the defender goes down he was never going to get a pen.

Meyler has a pop as Kompany's poor clearance fell for him but he didn't strike it cleanly and Given is right behind it.

Poor ball from Hutton as Sunderland broke down the right. He should have stuck in a cross but he looked for Jones and the momentum was lost.

Tevez streches for a pass that Turner got to first and the defender goes down in a heap. Tevez protests against his booking but he was very late.

A perfect centre forward's header. Back the way it came, powerfully, and no chance for Given. His somersault celebration was pretty handy too.

Good work down the left from Malbranque, he cuts inside and crosses and Jones nods into the far corner past Given after a towering leap. Superb header.

GOAL! Jones!

Now Mensah is flagged as Tevez goes tumlbing. The striker came from behind and just seemed to fall over. Never a free kick.

Hutton and Campbwell go to sleep and Bridge tries to pinch the ball. He went through Campbell though and is penalised.

Bellamy gets some pace down the right as Hutton is caught napping but his cross is poor as the defender got back to nudge him.

Jones flies down the left until he is stopped by Vincent Kompany. The striker hits the loose ball right at Shay Given.

A neat looking ball from Malbranque is heading for Bent until Lescott intervenes.

An early flurry of possession for Sunderland is interrupted by an offside flag relating to Darren Bent.

We're off....

Both sides won well last time out; City toppling Chelsea 4-2 at the Bridge after handshake-gate and Sunderland thrashing Bolton 4-0 in midweek.

City can draw level with Spurs in fourth with a victory today, while Sunderland can give themselves a welcome slice of breathing space by moving on to 33 points.

Man City: Given, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Zabaleta, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez. Subs: Taylor, Ireland, Adam Johnson, Santa Cruz, Sylvinho, Vieira, Toure.

Sunderland: Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Mensah, Ferdinand, Campbell, Richardson, Meyler, Malbranque, Jones, Bent. Subs: Carson, Bardsley, McCartney, Zenden, Henderson, Da Silva, Kilgallon.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to live commentary of Manchester City's tricky trip to Sunderland.

Join us at 16.00 UK for full live commentary.

Sunderland change: Zenden for Malbranque. One old stager for another.

Santa Cruz controls beautifully before flicking to Tevez but his shot spins wide off his boot.

Bent carves out a chance for Richardson but a great block from De Jong on the edge of the box means Given isn't called into action.

Here comes Johnson and off goes SWP.

City are piling the pressure on now and it looks like Adam Johnson is going to get 20 minutes.

Bellamy crosses from the right and Tevez turns it goalwards at the near post but Craig Gordon makes a point blank save to preserve Sunderland's lead.

Great work from Tevez to spin inside Turner and feed Vieira but he returns the ball and loses the momentum of the move.

The rain is lashing down at the Stadium of Light now and mistakes and slips are becoming more evident as a result.

Barry is given offside after Vieira's through ball. He was looking across the line and shouldn't have been.

Turner sticks to his task well to tackle Tevez, who has been distinctly average today.

Bellamy gives it his look of indignation after Mensah went dowbn as he breezed past him to latch onto a Santa Cruz pass. On reflection, it was never a free kick.

Here comes Vieira, in place of Micah Richards.

Malbranque lofts a lovely looking ball for Bent who had pulled off the back of Kompany but the defender sticks a boot out and intercepts.

SWP gets to the byline and fizzes a ball across but it had edged out of play.

Richardson hauls back De Jong after he nicked the ball. No booking, perhaps luckily.

Henderson curls one to the back post and Lescott nods away from four yards out. Malbranque's follow up shot squirms off his boot and goes well wide.

Good work from Campbell now as he dances round SWP and Richards. Richards has already been booked remember.

Barry and Meyler clash after Sunderland try to take a free kick quickly. Meyler shoved Barry, and Barry hit back with a butt to the chest. What does Foy do here? Yellows for both.

SWP is fouled by a combo of Meyler and Malbranque.

Bent wastes another chance to shoot by taking an extra touch on the edge of the box. A good start to the second period.

City showing plenty more in the opening six minutes of this half than they did in the entire opening 45 minutes. Bellamy goes close now as he tries to catch Gordon out at the near post with a shot instead of a cross.

Another save from Gordon as SWP turns Ferdinand and shoots. Corner.

Great chance for City as Santa Cruz is slipped in on goal by Tevez but Gordon is out to make himself big and save.

Good break from Bent, who is faced with two defenders, he backheels for Campbell and he charges into the box but his cross spins into Given's arms.

Good ball into the box from Richards and Mensah hesitates slightly after chesting it down before Ferdinand hoofs clear.

Tevez takes an early whack from Mensah before Richardson fires the ball out of play when he was looking for Bent.

Jordan Henderson is on for Sunderland, in place of Kenwyne Jones, as we begin the second half...

That's half time and a deserved lead for Sunderland. In truth they should be more than 1-0 up. I expect to see much more from City in the second half.

Campbell is upended in the box by Lescott but he doesn't complain too much about wanting a penalty.

Jones tries an eye of a needle pass but it sails through to Given. City need a rocket at half time. Wonder if Mancini does them?

Lovely interplay between Malbranque and Ferdinand down the left. the left back is flagged offside before Given saves his cross.

Richardson very nearly finds Jones but Lescott steps in. Sunderland ending the first half as they started it. On the front foot.

Bent gets it all wrong when he's fed by Malbranque inside the area. He wants to get back onto his right and wastes the chance.

Another yellow, this time for SWP as he clips Meyler with a late one. Not much protest from the winger.

Lovely break away from Campbell and Malbranque. They get 60 yards upfield and win a corner.

Hutton is down but Bellamy plays on and wins acorner. Barry flew into an aerial challenge with his feet up and caught Hutton on the knee. Nasty.

Bent cuts in from the left and gets his shot wrong but nearly gets another chance after the ball gets stuck under the stretching Lescott's foot. Kompany clears.

Good football from Sunderland as Richardson skips onto Hutton's pass. He gets to the byline but is crowded out by Lescott.

Richardson's free kick is tame to say the least. It dribbles apologetically wide.

Some Sunderland players were screaming for a red but though it was high, his foot came down before he caught Malbranque. It still looked painful mind.

Richards is going to get booked here for a horrible tackle on Malbranque. He's missed the ball and upended the Frenchman and will deservedly be booked.

Wayne Bridge is coming off. He doesn't look injured but he must be. Santa Cruz is on.

Excellent tracking back from young Meyler as he hunts down De Jong's ball from Bridge.

Barry's missed a great chance. A total tangle in the area falls at his feet and with his right foot he sends it wide of the post from ten yards.

Tevez flicks the ball right out of play. Sums City up in this first half.

Richards gets into the area in space and looks to pull the ball back for Tevez but Turner read it well and brings it clear.

Campbell jinks his way into the area from the left and gets a good connection on the shot but the direction was sorely lacking.

SWP's cross is too deep for Bellamy, who is getting some stick from the home fans due to his Newcastle connections.

Jones drags a good shooting chance wide after a neat one-two with Bent. They are troubling City in the early stages.

Turner recovers his own mistake after he booted the ball against Tevez and it ran away into Bellamy's path. A good tackle averts the danger.

Sunderland herry CIty and Kompany clips a simple ball right out of play. Mancini does not look happy.

More pressure as Campbell and Bent combine to release Malbranque and his shot is deflected behind for a corner.

Jones is struggling a bit after taking a knock, demonstrated by his wild pass for Bent that is taken on the full by Given.

Sunderland rebuild from the corner and Campbell has a go but gets it all wrong, then Jones meets another cross but can't get enough power on his header.

Decent exchange between Campbell and Hutton before the latter crosses. Richards gets a flick and Sunderland win a corner.

Wright-Phillips gets pretty much his first touch and he gives it to Tevez but his shot is weak and dribbles through to Gordon.

The game is held up for a minute while Given gets some new boots on.

A strong run from Micah Richards sees him into the penalty area but Richardson does well to block his route and though the defender goes down he was never going to get a pen.

Meyler has a pop as Kompany's poor clearance fell for him but he didn't strike it cleanly and Given is right behind it.

Poor ball from Hutton as Sunderland broke down the right. He should have stuck in a cross but he looked for Jones and the momentum was lost.

Tevez streches for a pass that Turner got to first and the defender goes down in a heap. Tevez protests against his booking but he was very late.

A perfect centre forward's header. Back the way it came, powerfully, and no chance for Given. His somersault celebration was pretty handy too.

Good work down the left from Malbranque, he cuts inside and crosses and Jones nods into the far corner past Given after a towering leap. Superb header.

GOAL! Jones!

Now Mensah is flagged as Tevez goes tumlbing. The striker came from behind and just seemed to fall over. Never a free kick.

Hutton and Campbwell go to sleep and Bridge tries to pinch the ball. He went through Campbell though and is penalised.

Bellamy gets some pace down the right as Hutton is caught napping but his cross is poor as the defender got back to nudge him.

Jones flies down the left until he is stopped by Vincent Kompany. The striker hits the loose ball right at Shay Given.

A neat looking ball from Malbranque is heading for Bent until Lescott intervenes.

An early flurry of possession for Sunderland is interrupted by an offside flag relating to Darren Bent.

We're off....

Both sides won well last time out; City toppling Chelsea 4-2 at the Bridge after handshake-gate and Sunderland thrashing Bolton 4-0 in midweek.

City can draw level with Spurs in fourth with a victory today, while Sunderland can give themselves a welcome slice of breathing space by moving on to 33 points.

Man City: Given, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Zabaleta, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez. Subs: Taylor, Ireland, Adam Johnson, Santa Cruz, Sylvinho, Vieira, Toure.

Sunderland: Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Mensah, Ferdinand, Campbell, Richardson, Meyler, Malbranque, Jones, Bent. Subs: Carson, Bardsley, McCartney, Zenden, Henderson, Da Silva, Kilgallon.

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to live commentary of Manchester City's tricky trip to Sunderland.

Join us at 16.00 UK for full live commentary.