The final whistle goes on a dramatic game here at the Stadium of Light. Elano gave City the lead but moments later Whitehead equalled with a wonderstrike. Minutes later once again Vassell pokes home to clinch all three points for City.
92
Carlos Edwards almost capitalising on a weak back header but Hart comes out well to gather before Edwards. Good keeping.
89
Benjani should have made it three after Petrov's free-kick is spilled by Gordon but he recovers well to complete the double save and deny Benjani.
89
Substitution
Goalscorer Elano comes off and takes his time doing it to be replaced by Hamann.
87
Goal
Elano finds Vassell who beats Nosworthy and toe pokes it goalbound past Craig Gordon and it just creeps over the line to put City back in the lead.
85
What a finish to this game we have on our hands now. The home fans are really buzzing and trying to will Sunderland to a fourth consecutive win.
82
Substitution
Sturrindge went down injured and was replaced by Darius Vassell.
82
Corner for City, breaks for Elano just six yards from goal but he somehow manages to blast it high over the bar. Would of bet your house on him scoring there! It's all going on in the last few minutes.
81
Goal
Andy Reid crosses the ball in from the left hand side, whipping it in to Dean Whitehead who meets it on the volley and rifles it home. What a goal!
78
Substitution
Roy O'Donovan comes on to replace Chopra as Roy Keane looks to chase the game.
78
Yellow Card
Nosworthy was booked there for his foul to give away the penalty.
78
Goal
Elano steps up confidently to take the penalty and fires it home wrong footing Craig Gordon - Against the run of play but City won't care.
77
Dan Sturridge wins a penalty cutting inside and goes down under the challenge of Nosworthy - spot-kick given by Mike Riley.
74
Benjani works a good position for Petrov to shoot but it is truly awful and goes well wide of Craig Gordon's goal - Embarrassing moment for the Bulgarian.
73
Leadbitter hits the free-kick a little too straight and Hart takes it into his arms comfortably.
73
Yellow Card
Vedran Corluka goes into the book for a fairly cynical foul on Chopra who had got in behind Sun Jihai.
71
Johnson gets City's first sight of goal in the second half but as he controlled in a dangerous area Bardsley slid across to make a great saving tackle.
70
Reid pings a beautiful sweeping pass upfield to Jones to spring a Sunderland attack, but as so often today, the play slows down as they get closer to goal and City re-group to clear.
67
Great play from Bardsley pressing Petrov high up the pitch to win Sunderland their sixth corner - Cleared comfortably.
65
Craig Gordon must be falling asleep in goal - The visitors are yet to threaten by any means.
62
Substitution
The Trinidad and Tobagon international Carlos Edwards comes on for Darryl Murphy. Perhaps the fresh legs on the wing can cause Dunne and co. some problems.
61
Reid delivers the corner with pace and bend, Jones attacks it but his header passes a fraction wide of the base of the post.
60
Long ball into Kenwyne Jones who knocks it down to Murphy on the edge of the box and his shot is deflected behind for a corner.
59
Swift break from Sunderland through Chopra but as they get into the final third, the wrong ball is chosen by Murphy and the attack loses all it's pace and it is dealt with by City.
58
Substitution
The 18 year-old Dan Sturridge comes on to replace Stephen Ireland. The fresh legs may cause the Sunderland defense some problems as they tire.
55
Murphy cuts inside passing up the opportunity to cut it back for Leadbitter and as he shapes to shoot Ball gets in a strong tackle to prevent Hart being called upon.
54
City have only scored in two of their last seven games, and it is clear to see why today - The quality of the final ball isn't good enough.
51
Micheal Chopra wins the ball on the byline and his perseverance earns them a corner - The ball from Reid goes just over the leaping Collins and out for a goal kick.
49
Best opportunity of the game for Murphy, a promising move resulted in a crosss from Chopra and it fell for Murphy beautiflly but he drove it over the top.
48
Elano and Petrov linking up well and getting on the ball early in the second period. Sunderland won't like Elano on the ball.
Second half
The whistle is blown and the second peiod is underway.
46
Substitution
Grant Leadbitter comes on to replace Kieran Richardson - I assume it is injury related as Richardson looked very dangerous in the opening period.
Half time
The whistle is blown to bring this rather dismal first half to a close - Things can only get better!
41
Free-kick for the home side in a very dangerous position about 20 yards from goal just right of centre, Reid will fancy this one - Hits Ireland, disappointing effort.
39
Yellow Card
Gelson Fernandes goes into the book for a high foot on Jones on the half way line.
38
The game suddenly sparking into life as we approach the break - Sunderland putting some good passing moves together and City look as though they may threaten on the break.
36
Jonny Evans aims a cross at Jones who knocks it down for Whitehead but he couldn't quite control his volley and it bobbles just wide of the post.
35
Good play from Danny Collins down the left flank but his cross was straight at Hart with Jones and Murphy waiting behind him to put it home.
32
Good chance for Michael Chopra after Jones squared it to him, his shot was well blocked by Dunne who then headed clear the cross coming back in.
29
Sorry for the lack of real comment so far, this game has been very scrappy in the last few minutes.
26
City a little gulity of over-committing forward here, Richardson is finding space infront of him frequently here. If there is to be a goal for Sunderland it is likely to come from Richardson.
23
Fantastic save from Joe Hart after Sunderland broke rapidly with Richardson who threaded the ball to Jones but he couldn't quite poke it beyond the onrushing keeper.
22
Yellow Card
Phil Bardsley picks up his seventh booking of the season for a tackle that was unnecessarily firm on Johnson. A fair booking.
21
Good goalkeeping from Jo Hart coming out of his goal quickly to gather a dangerous ball in from Whithead.
18
Yellow Card
Dean Whitehead picks up a needless yellow card for a foul on Petrov as he skipped away from the Sunderland midfielder.
17
A half chance for Murphy as Collins flicks on a Jonny Evans cross but the ball spins away from his foot and out of play.
14
Neither keeper has been worked as of yet but the game has been by no means pedestrian, just a little scrappy at times. Both sides seem to have set out to win this.
12
Good work from Martin Petrov on the left wing and it takes a good piece of defending from Bardsley to prevent any worse than a corner being given away. City will look for Petrov as much as possible this afternoon.
9
A massive miskick from Dunne skewing his clearance behind for a corner which Reid delivers well and Collins was there but he couldn't find the final touch to turn it home.
6
Scramble defending from Sunderland as they fail to clear the ball from their area and Elano's shot was well blocked, fell for Gelson who's shot was blocked also and Gordon gathers well.
3
Great piece of play from Murphy lifting the pass beautifully over the defence but it skipped away off the surface from Richardson and away for a goal kick.
2
Kieran Richardson with the first shot of the game, it's a speculative one from 30 yards but it is struck well and goes just over the bar.
Kickoff
Referee Mike Riley gets this one underway.
Awaiting Kickoff
Nedum Onuoha, City's centre half, will miss the rest of the season with injury so Corluka is likely to move into the middle with Dunne. Sun Jihai comes in at right back.
Awaiting Kickoff
For the home side, places in the eleven for Murphy, Jones and Chopra giving this line-up a positive and attacking look to it.
For City, they are looking for a strong finish to beat out Villa and Blackburn for a chance to earn European football for next season. A win today will help them greatly with their cause.
Awaiting Kickoff
On the back on an important win at Fulham last week, another win for Sunderland would surely see them safe from relegation.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to the Stadium of Light where Sunderland host Manchester City this afternoon.
Sunderland
Manchester City
Full time
The final whistle goes on a dramatic game here at the Stadium of Light. Elano gave City the lead but moments later Whitehead equalled with a wonderstrike. Minutes later once again Vassell pokes home to clinch all three points for City.
Carlos Edwards almost capitalising on a weak back header but Hart comes out well to gather before Edwards. Good keeping.
Benjani should have made it three after Petrov's free-kick is spilled by Gordon but he recovers well to complete the double save and deny Benjani.
Substitution
Goalscorer Elano comes off and takes his time doing it to be replaced by Hamann.
Goal
Elano finds Vassell who beats Nosworthy and toe pokes it goalbound past Craig Gordon and it just creeps over the line to put City back in the lead.
What a finish to this game we have on our hands now. The home fans are really buzzing and trying to will Sunderland to a fourth consecutive win.
Substitution
Sturrindge went down injured and was replaced by Darius Vassell.
Corner for City, breaks for Elano just six yards from goal but he somehow manages to blast it high over the bar. Would of bet your house on him scoring there! It's all going on in the last few minutes.
Goal
Andy Reid crosses the ball in from the left hand side, whipping it in to Dean Whitehead who meets it on the volley and rifles it home. What a goal!
Substitution
Roy O'Donovan comes on to replace Chopra as Roy Keane looks to chase the game.
Yellow Card
Nosworthy was booked there for his foul to give away the penalty.
Goal
Elano steps up confidently to take the penalty and fires it home wrong footing Craig Gordon - Against the run of play but City won't care.
Dan Sturridge wins a penalty cutting inside and goes down under the challenge of Nosworthy - spot-kick given by Mike Riley.
Benjani works a good position for Petrov to shoot but it is truly awful and goes well wide of Craig Gordon's goal - Embarrassing moment for the Bulgarian.
Leadbitter hits the free-kick a little too straight and Hart takes it into his arms comfortably.
Yellow Card
Vedran Corluka goes into the book for a fairly cynical foul on Chopra who had got in behind Sun Jihai.
Johnson gets City's first sight of goal in the second half but as he controlled in a dangerous area Bardsley slid across to make a great saving tackle.
Reid pings a beautiful sweeping pass upfield to Jones to spring a Sunderland attack, but as so often today, the play slows down as they get closer to goal and City re-group to clear.
Great play from Bardsley pressing Petrov high up the pitch to win Sunderland their sixth corner - Cleared comfortably.
Craig Gordon must be falling asleep in goal - The visitors are yet to threaten by any means.
Substitution
The Trinidad and Tobagon international Carlos Edwards comes on for Darryl Murphy. Perhaps the fresh legs on the wing can cause Dunne and co. some problems.
Reid delivers the corner with pace and bend, Jones attacks it but his header passes a fraction wide of the base of the post.
Long ball into Kenwyne Jones who knocks it down to Murphy on the edge of the box and his shot is deflected behind for a corner.
Swift break from Sunderland through Chopra but as they get into the final third, the wrong ball is chosen by Murphy and the attack loses all it's pace and it is dealt with by City.
Substitution
The 18 year-old Dan Sturridge comes on to replace Stephen Ireland. The fresh legs may cause the Sunderland defense some problems as they tire.
Murphy cuts inside passing up the opportunity to cut it back for Leadbitter and as he shapes to shoot Ball gets in a strong tackle to prevent Hart being called upon.
City have only scored in two of their last seven games, and it is clear to see why today - The quality of the final ball isn't good enough.
Micheal Chopra wins the ball on the byline and his perseverance earns them a corner - The ball from Reid goes just over the leaping Collins and out for a goal kick.
Best opportunity of the game for Murphy, a promising move resulted in a crosss from Chopra and it fell for Murphy beautiflly but he drove it over the top.
Elano and Petrov linking up well and getting on the ball early in the second period. Sunderland won't like Elano on the ball.
Second half
The whistle is blown and the second peiod is underway.
Substitution
Grant Leadbitter comes on to replace Kieran Richardson - I assume it is injury related as Richardson looked very dangerous in the opening period.
Half time
The whistle is blown to bring this rather dismal first half to a close - Things can only get better!
Free-kick for the home side in a very dangerous position about 20 yards from goal just right of centre, Reid will fancy this one - Hits Ireland, disappointing effort.
Yellow Card
Gelson Fernandes goes into the book for a high foot on Jones on the half way line.
The game suddenly sparking into life as we approach the break - Sunderland putting some good passing moves together and City look as though they may threaten on the break.
Jonny Evans aims a cross at Jones who knocks it down for Whitehead but he couldn't quite control his volley and it bobbles just wide of the post.
Good play from Danny Collins down the left flank but his cross was straight at Hart with Jones and Murphy waiting behind him to put it home.
Good chance for Michael Chopra after Jones squared it to him, his shot was well blocked by Dunne who then headed clear the cross coming back in.
Sorry for the lack of real comment so far, this game has been very scrappy in the last few minutes.
City a little gulity of over-committing forward here, Richardson is finding space infront of him frequently here. If there is to be a goal for Sunderland it is likely to come from Richardson.
Fantastic save from Joe Hart after Sunderland broke rapidly with Richardson who threaded the ball to Jones but he couldn't quite poke it beyond the onrushing keeper.
Yellow Card
Phil Bardsley picks up his seventh booking of the season for a tackle that was unnecessarily firm on Johnson. A fair booking.
Good goalkeeping from Jo Hart coming out of his goal quickly to gather a dangerous ball in from Whithead.
Yellow Card
Dean Whitehead picks up a needless yellow card for a foul on Petrov as he skipped away from the Sunderland midfielder.
A half chance for Murphy as Collins flicks on a Jonny Evans cross but the ball spins away from his foot and out of play.
Neither keeper has been worked as of yet but the game has been by no means pedestrian, just a little scrappy at times. Both sides seem to have set out to win this.
Good work from Martin Petrov on the left wing and it takes a good piece of defending from Bardsley to prevent any worse than a corner being given away. City will look for Petrov as much as possible this afternoon.
A massive miskick from Dunne skewing his clearance behind for a corner which Reid delivers well and Collins was there but he couldn't find the final touch to turn it home.
Scramble defending from Sunderland as they fail to clear the ball from their area and Elano's shot was well blocked, fell for Gelson who's shot was blocked also and Gordon gathers well.
Great piece of play from Murphy lifting the pass beautifully over the defence but it skipped away off the surface from Richardson and away for a goal kick.
Kieran Richardson with the first shot of the game, it's a speculative one from 30 yards but it is struck well and goes just over the bar.
Kickoff
Referee Mike Riley gets this one underway.
Awaiting Kickoff
Nedum Onuoha, City's centre half, will miss the rest of the season with injury so Corluka is likely to move into the middle with Dunne. Sun Jihai comes in at right back.
Awaiting Kickoff
For the home side, places in the eleven for Murphy, Jones and Chopra giving this line-up a positive and attacking look to it.
Awaiting Kickoff
Man City: Hart, Jihai, Corluka, Dunne, Ball, Gelson, Elano, Ireland, Johnson, Petrov, Mwaruwari
Awaiting Kickoff
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Chopra, Whitehead, Reid, Richardson, Jones, Murphy
Awaiting Kickoff
For City, they are looking for a strong finish to beat out Villa and Blackburn for a chance to earn European football for next season. A win today will help them greatly with their cause.
Awaiting Kickoff
On the back on an important win at Fulham last week, another win for Sunderland would surely see them safe from relegation.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to the Stadium of Light where Sunderland host Manchester City this afternoon.