The 2010s: Victory over Sunderland

Manager Roberto Mancini knew that victory over Sunderland on this day (3 April) in 2011 would lift Manchester City to third place in the League. Despite early season optimism that a League title could be possible that opportunity had faded and now the target, as far as the League was concerned, was to finish third or better. While fourth place would bring a Champions League play-off place, third would bring automatic qualification.

City took a ninth minute lead, but it wasn’t until Carlos Tevez doubled that lead via a penalty six minutes later that Mancini’s team looked in total control. An adventurous looking City pushed and pressed Sunderland and further chances came from Tevez and Balotelli before the break, but it remained 2-0. That changed in the second half as the Blues’ dominance brought reward.

Three goals in ten minutes made this an extremely positive day with City looking at their absolute best. In the 63^rd minute a shot from Balotelli rebounded for David Silva to send home the rebound. Four minutes later Aleksandar Kolarov fired across goal following a corner and Patrick Vieira slid in to steer the ball in at the back post. Vieira had only come on as substitute two minutes earlier.

The fifth and final goal was slotted in by Yaya Toure in the 73^rd minute. The win meant third placed City were a point clear of fourth placed Chelsea (though they had a game in hand) and ten behind leaders United. Mancini’s team were six points clear of fifth placed Tottenham with seven games left for the Blues.