SUNDERLAND: Manchester City’s early-season momentum was halted at Sunderland on Sunday as Darren Bent’s last-gasp penalty gave the hosts a shock 1-0 win.
Bent scored in stoppage-time after being fouled by City right-back Micah Richards as Sunderland sealed their first Premier League win of the season, and a first success over City for nearly 10 years.
City boss Roberto Mancini has spent 130 million pounds of owner Sheikh Mansour’s riches in his quest to upset the Premier League’s established order.
But Mancini cut an exasperated figure at times as captain Carlos Tevez missed a 16th-minute sitter and further chances went begging before Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet pulled off a terrific save 11 minutes from the end to deny substitute Emmanuel Adebayor.
It was pure reaction and sheer brilliance as Belgian Under-21 international Mignolet, signed from Sint-Truiden in the close-season, turned away Adebayor’s flick inside the six-yard box.
City surrendered their unbeaten record this season in all competitions and conceded for the first time on a day Mancini will want to forget.
The visitors reverted to the side that started Monday’s comprehensive 3-0 home victory over Liverpool, while Sunderland made three changes in the wake of their 1-0 setback at newly-promoted West Bromwich eight days ago.
Nedum Onuoha, on loan from City, was ineligible to face his parent club, which meant Anton Ferdinand was handed a first League appearance this season at right-back.
Elsewhere for the home side, captain Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner returned from suspension in midfield and at centre-back at the expense of Cristian Riveros and Paulo Da Silva.
It was safety first for Bruce as Bent began as a lone striker with Fraizer Campbell wide on the left.
On the opposite flank, Egypt’s Ahmed Elmohamady elected to try his luck in the swirling Wearside wind with a long-range effort that was posed no problem for goalkeeper Joe Hart as it dipped over.
City then hit Sunderland on the counter as Kieran Richardson’s shot was charged down by Yaya Toure.
What followed beggared belief as former Barcelona midfielder Toure broke to evade Cattermole’s despairing challenge before squaring the ball for Tevez who, presented with an open goal, somehow managed to spoon his finish over the bar from around only ten yards.
It was an enormous let-off for Sunderland, but they were caught again near the half-hour mark.
Once more, it was left-back Richardson who lost possession, this time playing a suicidal ball across the face of defense straight to Tevez.
Titus Bramble was easily beaten, but Turner was able to deflect Tevez’s shot wide.
Tevez continued to tease, exchanging passes with Yaya Toure, who was only denied by the bravery of Mignolet.
The Sunderland keeper also rescued his side on the stroke of half-time when again he foiled Yaya Toure from point-blank range after James Milner’s left-wing free-kick was helped on to the Ivory Coast player at the far post.
Sunderland were forced into a double change at the interval, with Campbell and Turner suffering injuries and Danny Welbeck and Phil Bardsley coming on.
Hart finally found himself under pressure after the break, performing a desperate punch clear before clawing the ball out at his near post from Elmohamady’s wicked cross.
And as Sunderland grew in confidence, the stage was set for England striker Bent to steal the points in the closing moments.
