Mark Hughes, facing the chop according to the Saturdays, saw his City side race into a 2-nil lead over Sunderland through Roque Santa Cruz and a Carlos Tevez penalty. Then the blacks Cats rallied, Reid swung over a fabulous cross that John Mensah planted home before a terrible mistake from Kolo Toure trying to defender a corner saw the ball fall to Jordan Henderson to rip in an equaliser from 14 yards. A thrilling first half ended with City regaining control as a move involving Zabaleta and Wright-Phillips was finished by Craig Bellamy into the far corner.