Showing posts with label Sunderland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunderland. Show all posts

Saturday, 13 August 2016

Man City 2-1 Sunderland: Late Paddy McNair own goal hands Pep Guardiola's side win

Fabian Delph (CL) collects the ball after Sunderland defender Paddy McNair (CR floor) scored an own goal
Paddy McNair's own goal three minutes from time handed Pep Guardiola's Manchester City a 2-1 win over Sunderland in his first game as head coach.
McNair, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes on his Sunderland debut having signed from Manchester United, nodded into the corner of his own net after Jesus Navas' cross.
Earlier, Guardiola's Premier League debut got off to the perfect start after four minutes as Sergio Aguero converted from the spot after Patrick van Aanholt had brought down Raheem Sterling.
City had most of the ball in both halves, but Sunderland equalised with 19 minutes remaining through Jermain Defoe's tidy low finish inside the area, before the late own goal broke Sunderland's hearts.
Guardiola's City now face a tricky Champions League play-off round first leg at Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday, while David Moyes' Sunderland host north-east rivals Middlesbrough next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Guardiola's first selection decision was a controversial one, leaving England No 1 Joe Hart on the bench, and his replacement Willy Caballero was called into action early, beating away Van Aanholt's 25-yard free-kick.
Willy Caballero came in for City as Joe Hart was left on the bench
Willy Caballero came in for City as Joe Hart was left on the bench
John Stones made his City debut alongside England team-mate Sterling, and it was the latter's fine work that helped City take the lead.
Collecting the ball on the gallop, Sterling turned swiftly inside the area, forcing Van Aanholt to clip his leg. Aguero, City's top scorer last season, made no mistake from the spot, powering the penalty past Vito Mannone.
Spaniard Nolito, another debutant, went close later in the half, curling just wide from the left having cut inside, but despite City's dominance in possession, Sunderland had the best chance of the remainder of the half.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates the opening goal
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero celebrates the opening goal
Having got on the end of Lamine Kone's header into the box, Defoe's poke goalwards was saved well by Caballero at point-blank range.
Aguero should have doubled his and City's tally on the hour mark, pulling an effort wide from 10 yards after the ball dropped kindly to him, and the hosts were made to pay 10 minutes later.
As Stones raced out to close Jack Rodwell down, the midfielder fed Defoe in a central position, leaving him to coolly slot the ball under Caballero.
Sunderland's Jermain Defoe celebrates the equalising goal
Sunderland's Jermain Defoe celebrates the equalising goal
The goal makes Defoe the eighth player to score in 16 or more Premier League seasons, and puts him joint-10th in the all-time Premier League scoring charts with 144 goals.
Sunderland briefly pushed for a second, but it was City who grabbed the late winner. After Navas had got down the right and fed the ball into the six-yard box, the ball flicked off Mannone's hand and onto the head of his team-mate McNair, who could not prevent the ball bouncing off his head and into the back of the net.
Pep Guardiola gestures during his first competitive match as City head coach
Pep Guardiola gestures during his first competitive match as City head coach
Kelechi Iheanacho came close to making the game safe with a minute remaining, seeing his effort from 12 yards deflect off Mannone and over.
Despite late Sunderland pressure, City held on for the three points, something last season's title rivals Leicester and Tottenham failed to achieve on the opening day of the Premier League.

Thursday, 11 August 2016

Sunderland defender Lamine Kone asks to leave Sunderland amid Everton interest

Lamine Kone (right) has requested a transfer
Lamine Kone (right) has requested a transfer
Lamine Kone has told Sky Sports News HQ he has asked to leave Sunderland.
The Ivory Coast international was this week the subject of an £18m bid from Everton, according to Sky sources."After a week in which there has been a vast amount of speculation with regard to my future at Sunderland Football Club, I think that it is only fair to the fans of the club to clarify the situation," Kone told Sky Sports News HQ
At the end of last season I was told by the club that I would be offered a new contract.
"Following numerous phone conversation and face-to-face meetings, the latest of which took place today with David Moyes and Martin Bain, no contract has been forthcoming.
Lamine Kone (centre) has attracted interest from Everton
Lamine Kone (centre) has attracted interest from Everton
"It is therefore with much regret that I can only assume that I do not figure in David Moyes' future plans.
"With that being the case it is with much sadness that I have asked the manager and the chief executive to be allowed to leave Sunderland Football Club.
"However, until that time I give my word that I will give my utmost in training and on the field."

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