Sunderland 1-1 Manchester City21: 30 14/03/2010, Louise Taylor, football, guardian.co.uk, Manchester City, match reports, the Premier League, Sport, S

Sunderland 1-1 Manchester City21: 30 14/03/2010, Louise Taylor, football, guardian.co.uk, Manchester City, match reports, the Premier League, Sport, Sunderland, Guardian Unlimited

Adam Johnson appeared high on the list of Steve Bruce in January purchases, but Roberto Mancini once registered an interest at the end of the then Middlesbrough, Sunderland manager outbid had no choice but to accept defeat.

That's what the city of Mancini Wearside were heading to Johnson, a late substitute, curled in a sublime stoppage time equalizer for a potentially vital point in the search for his fourth team.

"It will be very tight, but I think we have a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League," a previously agitated Mancini, his sanity, most likely held by the Sunderland-born 11 hours of intervention-Johnson.

At the beginning of the City Manager had pressured almost every conceivable tactical buttons repeatedly reconfiguring your new PC side as diverse Bruce resurgent left sighing, pulling faces and even anxiety, both in blue and white scarf immaculatelycoiffed elegantly knotted hair.

In fact, judging from the insane burden of Mancini by the touchline to celebrate his players to calm down and regroup after late equalizer, the Italian knows that his long term future at Eastlands remains largely in the balance. No doubt he wants to stay in place. Asked if Italy coach after the World Cup was concerned, a smiling Mancini - whose side fifth place, two points behind Tottenham Hotspur, with a game - he replied, "No, I intend to stay here for ten years" .

Despite the recently concluded run of 14 league games without a win, job security, Bruce was never in doubt, but will sleep a little easier after collecting four points from two games.

"We ran out of steam, but the first half was the best he had played for centuries and might well have won," said Sunderland's manager, whose defense is prone to concede late goals. "It is ironic that had to be Adam Johnson, who tied. He was in his case for months. There is something different, he is a player with the ball, which has superb balance. The kid is a natural product that can play."

So too can Kenwyne Jones. Along with several colleagues, Jones seems to have caused delay of winter hibernation worrying and Trinidad striker took just nine minutes to register his eighth goal of the season.

Sevilla FC sent a pass from Steed Malbranque and the left side of the Cross followed midfielder was greeted by Jones, who outjumped Vincent Kompany before hitting a header past Shay Given.

As Jones, whose injury-induced environment timeout arguably cost Sunderland victory, gave a series of cartwheels and somersaults, Mancini played with anxiety this distinctive scarf.

In 32 minutes his side had evoked a single chance, a decent opening shot rejected by Gareth Barry, after crossing a Micah Richards, and Italy had seen enough.

She left Wayne Bridge and wine Roque Santa Cruz, with Pablo Zabaleta to move to left side of the right of a midfield trio as the city went from 4-3-2-1 to a 4-4-2 much more threatening.

But Richards, in particular, still struggled to contain Malbranque, who has emerged since Bruce moved him from right to left. In fact, the right of access could count on him again fortunate to receive a yellow card instead of a red card for an over-the-top tackle could have broken his leg Malbranque.

At this point, almost all the attacking moves of the city met foundered in the face of both the outstanding central defender John Mensah and reinventing impressive Anton Ferdinand at left.

Although Craig Gordon was overburdened by the end of the afternoon, saving arrogance Bellamy (three times), and Santa Cruz, owner of Sunderland important not to stop until the 50th minute when he used his legs to repel Wright - Phillips narrow range of next working level through-ball Barry.

Soon after, Barry - former booked after a heated argument with Meyler - was found as the City redistributed left side of the third day the introduction of the first Patrick Vieira and Johnson called for another round of musical chairs position.

Finally, Mancini went on the switch on the right and Sunderland after only half-cleared corner Bellamy is a blow to his left foot pressing Johnson sent the ball in the upper curve.

Premier League
Sunderland
Manchester City
Louise Taylor


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