It wasn't pretty, and I never got the warm fuzzy feeling that the Blues were dominating, but it was still a win. And after the embarrassment; of last week, it was nice getting back into the win column.
A week after bleeding six goals to Chelsea Manchester City were able to keep a clean sheet against newly promoted Sunderland, who have yet to win on the road this season. The City defense remained tight even without English International Micah Richards, who was out with a bruise on his knee-cap. After some shaky moments - most notable coming after defender Sun Jihai tripped over the ball in the open field, allowing Sunderland to mount a lightly contested charge on City goalkeeper Joe Hart. It's a good thing that the Sunderland forwards couldn't hit the frame of the goal.
I really don't see Sun's value in the team. Such blunders and mistakes are not uncommon in his play. If Richard Dunne is seen as City's calm, consistent, and steady center back, Sun is the Anti-Dunne. Although, to be fair, Dunne's goal-line clearance in the second half looked to be more of a lucky touch than masterful defensively play.
Stephen Ireland's volley for the game's lone tally was sublime. The service from Darius Vassell was played perfectly across the front of the Sunderland goal, missing Bianchi's head by inches and descending right into the stride of Ireland who drilled his shot between the feet of goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
After a week of my Liverpool-Loving neighbor holding up six fingers every time he saw me it was a relief to see how this City team would respond to the Chelsea setback. Taking a home unbeaten streak to seven straight is the kind of response I like to see.
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