English Premier League: City back on track with Sunderland rout

Mancini happy with 3-0 win; Chelsea beat Norwich 4-1 to extend lead at the top.


Afp October 06, 2012

LONDON:


Manchester City got back on track after their recent struggles as the Premier League champions cruised to a 3-0 win over Sunderland yesterday.


Roberto Mancini's side have made a sluggish start to both their title defence and their assault on the Champions League, but they finally produced a convincing display as goals from Aleksandar Kolarov, Sergio Aguero and James Milner saw off Sunderland at Eastlands. It was just City's second victory in their last seven fixtures in all competitions, and their first clean sheet of the season at the 10th attempt. The win lifted Mancini's men into second place in the table.

"In the first half we missed two or three chances like in other games, but we had a good performance," said Mancini. "Every game is difficult in this moment. I am happy because we got a clean sheet and scored three, but also because of our performance. You can only beat Sunderland if you play well. They have a strong squad."

Defender Joleon Lescott is hopeful this will prove a turning point in their season.

"We are disappointed defensively this season but we are happy with the clean sheet," said Lescott. "We are looking strong now and since we have come back off the international break we have been playing well."

City made the perfect start as Serbian defender Kolarov curled a superb fifth minute free-kick past Sunderland goal-keeper Simon Mignolet. Argentine substitute Aguero got the decisive second goal on the hour mark when he steered in a Kolarov cross from close-range for his first goal at Eastlands since the dramatic strike that won the title on the final day of last season. England midfielder Milner capped City's biggest win of the season with an 89th minute free-kick that glanced in off Sunderland's Craig Gardner.

Meanwhile, Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the league to four points with a 4-1 win against Norwich

The Blues recovered from the shock of Norwich striker Grant Holt's 11th minute opener at Stamford Bridge to take complete control and seal the win with goals from Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic.

In other matches, Everton snatched a late 2-2 draw at Wigan, while West Brom beat QPR 3-2 at home. Swansea drew 2-2 when they played against Reading.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2012. 

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ