Man City 3-0 Sunderland LIVE – City go two points behind Arsenal with victory

Guardiola on going two points behind Arsenal: “Of course it’s better to be closer than further to the top of the league.

“But from my experience, sorry, I don’t want to feel arrogant but I have a experience of winning the Premier League titles, it’s to be consistent.

“The consistency comes just from one thing, from the way you play. Not for the result one day or the victory, going two points behind or four points in front. It’s the consistency of how much you perform, how much you grow during the year.

“Today has maybe been one of the best performances of the year, the season, during 95 minutes. We’ve had good moments but always in the second half (we dip). We are not consistent for 90 minutes.”

“He has a special, unique quality. Sometimes you love him and sometimes you hate him. Composure, personality, and the way he helped us to play especially in the final third. He has something that mum and dad gave to him.”

Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports after the game on what pleased him today: “Everything. One of the best performances of the season. Against a great team and what they have done so far.”

Job done for City who move within two points of Arsenal and keep their first clean sheet in almost a month.

Sunderland were second best throughout and can have few complaints about the outcome. The Black Cats now need to dust themselves off and move on to the next one, which is a big one for them.

It is upgraded and O’Nien is sent off.

A really stupid challenge.

O’Nien goes in strong and late on Nunes and is shown a yellow card.

A VAR check will follow and this could get worse for him.

After spinning away from a couple of defenders, Doku gets his shot off.

Roefs is just able to react in time to tip it over the crossbar.

Hume is replaced by O’Nien.

The final couple of minutes here should be a formality.

It feels like the game is already settled amd Guardiola makes his final two changes.

Cherki and Silva make way for Savinho and Lewis.

This time Cherki chooses to go it alone and shoots at goal.

At full stretch, Roefs just keeps it out.

More great work from Cherki who picks out Reijnders in a brilliant position with his cross.

However the Dutchman does not connect properly with the ball, which dribbles out for a goal kick.

Adingra and Mundle come on.

Midfielders Sadiki and Xhaka are both withdrawn – likely because they are both one yellow card away from suspension and Sunderland face Newcastle next.

Guardiola must now feel that the points are secure, as he makes a triple substitution.

Haaland, Foden and Gvardiol are withdrawn. Marmoush, Reijnders and Ake come on.

City have another and that is a pretty special goal.

Haaland plays it out to Cherki who beats his man and then delivers a rabona cross perfectly onto the head of Foden. The Englishman’s header finds the net off the underside of the crossbar.

It is absolutely brilliant from Cherki, who dribbles along the goal line and past multiple defenders, before picking out Haaland.

Just a couple of yards out the Norwegian shoots but it is cleared off the line.

Perhaps smelling an opportunity, Le Bris makes a double substitution.

Isidor and Traore make way for Brobbey and Talbi.

It is now the visitors who are denied by the woodwork.

A Sunderland corner comes out to Hume who rifles an effort into the post.

A huge chance for Isidor to get one back for the visitors.

However Donnarumma produces a massive stop to keep it out.

Doku cuts in and shoots, beating Roefs in the Sunderland goal.

However it flies back out of the post. Foden strikes the rebound but it is blocked and goes behind for a corner.

The first shot of the second half comes from O’Reilly.

Doku cuts it back to the youngster in a dangerous area but he drags his effort just wide of the post.

Sadiki takes the kick off for the visitors.

We are underway in the second half!

City are two goals to the good and set to move two points behind Arsenal. Despite their advantage, the Blues did not created that many chances across the first half.

The game is far from over yet though, City have conceded six goals in their last two second halfs. Sunderland have not been amazing so far, but they will get some chances after the break.

City look to be cruising now, as they are moving the ball around with ease.

The game is still far from over though.

City’s lead is doubled in no time, with Dias’ centre-back partner getting in on the act.

Gvardiol rises highest to meet a Foden corner and turn it home. City lead by two.