Manchester City registered their first victory in over five games when they recorded a fortitous victory over an unlucky Sunderland side on Saturday.

After failing to mount any sort of attack worthy of note for the better part of the match, City took the lead through a controversial penalty kick that was converted by Elano. However Sunderland soon equalized through Dean Whitehead before Darius Vassell came off the bench to grab the winner with just three minutes remaining on the clock.

Sunderland came into the match on the back of three straight wins and manager Roy Keane was eager to maintain the momentum as the hosts dominated the possession early in the match but were unable to find a way through the make shift City defense.

Kenwyne Jones was busy trying to win the ball from the defenders but was not helped by some poor service by the Sunderland midfield. City were happy to sit back, intent on defending with very little focus on the attack.

The skirmish continued at the start of the second half and on the rare occasion that City ventured forward, they were rewarded with a very lucky penalty by referee Mike Riley. Sturridge stumbled in the penalty area as Nosworthy tried to snatch the ball and Riley harshly adjudged a foul and Elano coolly converted from the spot in the 79th minute.

However Sunderland soon struck back and were on level terms three minutes later when Whitehead headed home Reid's cross. Just when it looked like Sunderland had managed to snatch a point, Darius Vassell struck the winner, slotting home Elano's throughball to help his team collect all three points from the match.