City grab late win

A game which remained goalless for 79 minutes exploded into life when referee Mike Riley awarded a penalty for a supposed Nyron Nosworthy challenge on substitute Daniel Sturridge and Elano calmly converted from the spot.

Dean Whitehead levelled with a sweet 82nd-minute volley before Vassell comically scuffed the ball past Craig Gordon three minutes from time.

City appeared content to pack their midfield and leave lone striker Benjani Mwaruwari to fend for himself with support from Martin Petrov and Elano, but it was not until injury time at the end of the first half that the visitors managed to register a shot on goal - with Petrov seeing his effort blocked and Stephen Ireland firing the rebound over.

Sunderland's best chance arrived with 23 minutes gone when Michael Chopra and Kieran Richardson combined to put Kenwyne Jones in on goal but after holding off Richard Dunne his shot was saved.

Dunne threw himself into the path of Chopra's 32nd-minute drive and Ireland blocked Andy Reid's free-kick two minutes before the break.

Sunderland sent on Grant Leadbitter for Richardson at the break. Daryl Murphy was presented with a good opportunity within four minutes of the restart when Reid's cross found him but he shot over.

Reid and Murphy carved City apart on the hour but could not put City keeper Joe Hart under pressure. Murphy saw a shot blocked and Jonny Evans headed the resulting corner wide.

The hosts fell behind with 11 minutes remaining when Sturridge went down under what appeared to be no challenge and Elano converted.

Sunderland levelled when Whitehead brilliantly smashed Reid's cross past Hart, but then Vassell was on hand to net the winner.