Result: Man City 1 0 SunderlandMan City moved up into tenth place in the Premier League table following a comfortable victory over a disappointing Sunderland side. The visitors felt aggrieved at the red card awarded to defender George McCartney, meaning they had to play for the majority of the game with ten men, and although the Blues mi sed a penalty, courtesy of Robinho, a Micah Richards header in the second half decided the outcome.The Black Cats now lie in fourteenth place, just Teemu Selanne Jersey three points off the relegation zone, and following this uninspiring defeat, must now be nervously looking over their shoulder towards fierce rivals Newcastle. Their next game is away to West Ham, whilst City have a difficult task as they visit high-flying Arsenal.Richard Dunne battles with Kenwyne Slight Patches of Ginger in my Hair JonesTeam NewsBlues bo s Mark Hughes, mi sing regular left-back Wayne Bridge, who was hamstrung by a hamstring, moved Argentinean defender/midfielder/striker Pablo Zabaleta into yet another unfamiliar role, this time on the left of the back four, a damning indictment of Javier Garrido. Devoid of the services of theindustrious, instrumental and indefatigable Irish midfielder Stephen Ireland, Hughes plumpted for Elano in the attacking midfield role, just behind lone striker Valeri Bojinov, who made his first start for City since August 2007, following a pair of horrendous injuries. Nifty Nige de Jong returned to his holding midfield role, while Craig Bellamy was named on the bench after recovering from his knee injury.For the visitors, Anton Ferdinand returned after injury, but former Manchester United and quite unbelievably, England, midfielder Kieron Richardson was suspended. Israeli international Tal Ben-Haim was ineligible for this game, having joined the Wearside club from the Blues on-loan in January. Up-front, bo s Ricky Sbragia, who, no offence intended (but clearly there is offence), doesnt look quite right, opted for Kenwyne Jones over French striker Djibril Ci s.Who or what does Ricky Sbragia look like? Answers at the bottom pleaseCity Line-Up GivenRichards Dunne Onuoha Zabaleta de Jong KompanySWPElano Robinho BojinovSubs: Hart, Garrido, BERTI, Fer******, Etuhu, Evans, BellamyReportEven before the game, their was an air of expectancy as the City faithful awaited a sixth consecutive home victory. The Blues started out of the blocks as if they meant busine s, with Bojinov at the fore of every good move. Firstly the Bulgarian set Elano through the middle, but his pa s to find fellow Brazilian Robinho was slightly overhit and the trouble pa sed. City wasted a gilt-edged opportunity after ten minutes when SWP, played through by the most majestic of pa ses from Bojinov, lifted a lob from 25 yards agonisingly wide of Martin Fulops post.On fifteen minutes, the game erupted into controversy as referee Steven Tanner reduced the visitors to ten men with the sending off of Northern Ireland full-back George McCartney for a challenge on SWP. A perfectly weighted slide pa s by the impre sive Elano set the tricky winger Paul Kariya Jersey bearing down on goal, and as he was just about to lob Fulop, McCartney cruelly tugged the shirt ofSWP, halting him in his tracks. After lengthy consultation with a sistant referee Mo Matadar, Tanner decided to brandish a red card, meaning Sunderland were forced to playfor the vast majority of the game with just ten men. The decision has since been overturned by the FA, but this will be of no comfort to the visitors.SWP is halted in his tracks by McCartney, leading to a red card for the defenderBojinov hammered the resulting free-kick over the bar, but Sunderland were now under the cosh, and sacrificed the attack-minded Daryl Murphy in favour of centre-back Calum Davenport. More drama and controversy were to follow soon after, when a rampaging and lung-busting run from Micah Richards culminated in an illegal challenge by Steed Malbranque just inside the penalty area. Referee Tanner had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and despite the likes of Elano, Dunne and SWP on the pitch, all of whom had scored from the spot against Aalborg, the egotistical Robinho, clearly one who believes his own pre s, demanded that he should be the one to take the penalty.It was a shocker of an effort, with the Brazilians attempt at a fancy dilly-dally to fool Nathan MacKinnon Jersey the keeper went wrong and confused Robinho himself, as Martin Ive Had Too Much Food So Im Now Fulop, dived with ease to his leftto stop the effort.The rest of the first-half was relativelydull by comparison, although Elano did try one speculative (to say the least) 40 yard shot which Mikko Rantanen Jersey Fulop saved. The visitors rarely threatened and for them, it was a question of whether they could hold on for another 45 minutes.Fulop dives to his leftto save Robinhos penaltyThe second half started much like the first period ended, with City in near-total domination. Black Cats defender Davenport was booked for simulation,diving in the box after a coming together with Richard Dunne. City pre sed on the metaphorical accelerator, and moments after SWP blasted a shot over, the Blues took a much deserved lead. The influential Bojinov won a free-kick from the right, and when Elano swung a perfect ball acro s, Micah Richards leapt, salmon-like, the highest and planted his header in the bottom corner. Valeri Bojinov, thinking he is an aeroplane, helps to celebrate Richards goalIt should have been two seconds later, when Elano somehow shot wide from inside the six-yard box following some neat work by himself, Richardsand Bojinov. The Bulgarian was replaced just after the hour mark by Craig Bellamy and immediately, the Welsh firebrand caused problems with his direct running and hara sment of the defenders. For the visitors, Andy Fatter Than Richard Dunne Reid and Djibril Ci s replaced Jones and Malbranque as Sbragia decided to change things round a bit.With Sunderland showing about as much discipline as Ashley Cole on a night out, the game descended into chaos as Tanner booked Leadbitter, Reid and Bardsley for di sent. A superb last-ditch block from Richard Dunneprevented Reid from scoring, but City eased out the Rene Bourque Jersey game in relative comfort, despite the introduction of Gelson Fer****** from the bench, and the profligacy of Robinho. It was a much needed and deserved three points for the Blues, and they now head into the international break in good shape.What a surprise: Robinho takes a tumble following a tackleKey BattlesNedum Onuoha v Kenwyne JonesJones, despite being up front on his own all afternoon, and with limited support from Malbranque following the red card for McCartney, battled away throughout the match, causing occasional problems for the City backline with his strength and aerial prowe s. However, Onuoha was more than equal to any threat, and snuffed out the danger with ease. Winner = OnuohaJavier Garrido v Steed MalbranquePoor old Javier. With first choice left-back Wayne Bridge injured, the natural replacement was Garrido, but surprisingly, Hughes opted for Pablo Zabaleta in this position. Malbranque looked dangerous at the start of the game, but as soon as he was forced to change position, he had limited effect, and was well marshalled by Micah Richards. No WinnerCraig Bellamy v Anton FerdinandNot a good week for me on the key battles. Bellamy was consigned to the sustitutes bench, as Hughes clearly had a doubt as to whether the Welshman could play a whole game. Ferdinand played, but was largely disappointing.No WinnerSee the previous post on the Manchester City blog for Player Ratings.