Phil Smith reacts as Sunderland lose 3-0 to Manchester City
Sunderland were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City in their latest Premier League fixture on Saturday
Phil Smith was there reporting for The Echo and these were his key conclusions...
Man City test one too many for impressive Sunderland side
Had you offered Sunderland fans four points from three games at the start of this most demanding week, most would have readily accepted it. Had you offered it when Tyler Adams lobbed Robin Roefs from just inside Sunderland's half to put Bournemouth 2-0 up inside fifteen minutes at the Stadium of Light, most would have been utterly elated. Which is not to excuse Sunderland's shortcomings here, or to say that there aren't lessons to learn. It's just to say that in the broader context of the campaign, Sunderland's start to a six-week period that had been earmarked for some time as a potentially very challenging one has been solid.
The view from inside the Sunderland dressing room was that they had been a little too respectful in the first half, and it was clear that they were leaving with some regrets. It's also true that this was a brutally difficult assignment, coming just days after two excellent and committed performances from the Black Cats. Away from home, these are games where you need to be at your very best and hope that your opponents are short of theirs. Sunderland couldn't find the level of intensity they have managed for most of this season, and found Pep Guardiola's side in very strong form. Aside from one error in the second half where Ruben Dias let Wilson Isidor through on goal, the hosts performed strongly. Even in that moment, Isidor was denied by a breathtaking piece of goalkeeping as Gianluigi Donnarumma raced off his line to narrow the angle and then make the block. Granit Xhaka's fine drive which had Donnarumma well beaten but struck of the foot of the post came directly from that Dias error; Guardiola said afterwards that it was one of Man City's best performances of the year.
The frustration for Sunderland was that the host's double salvo came at a point where they were starting to play their way into the game, finding ways through the City press after a difficult opening twenty minutes or so. That the goals came from a deflection (albeit after a magnificent Ruben Dias strike) and then from a set play situation where Sunderland are normally so strong, and that the third came so soon after those big chances that could have changed the complexion of the game. They had some half decent chances after that, but so too did the hosts who in truth could have added one or two more.
Overall, though, Sunderland were beaten by the stronger team. They've punched above their weight impressively this season and this game just felt like one too far.
Rayan Cherki delivers a performance to remember
Sometimes, you have to doff your cap. After eight years away from the Premier League, you had to marvel at the individual quality on display in the Man City side. Phil Foden was excellent, and Rayan Cherki on another level entirely. His rabona cross for the third goal capped what was surely one of the best individual displays against Sunderland in many a year. The summer signing from Lyon has played little this season, but appears to be getting to grips with Pep Guardiola's demands. Sunderland were unfortunate to be the side on the receiving end. City moved within two points of Arsenal thanks to this result, and on this evidence you have to feel that they are serious contenders.
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Sunderland away end make their feelings clear after Régis Le Bris sub
Normally, you'd expect Le Bris withdrawing his two premier central midfielders to be met with despair or derision from the away. That there was very clear applause and cheering told you that their thoughts had turned to next weekend's game. Le Bris admitted afterwards that he felt both had struggled to find their full intensity with the threat of suspension hanging over them, and that this had played some part in the final result. Neither looked impressed with the decision but it was an understandable one.
The Sunderland players were also given a strong reception from their supporters at full time, which was a fair reflection of the effort that they had put into the game.
Le Bris issues mixed team news update ahead of Newcastle United game
Reinildo's absence for this game was a huge blow for the Black Cats, forcing Le Bris to field two right footers on the left flank and making the team's build-up play a little more predictable as a result. It also denied them one of, if not their best, 1-v-1 defender and on a day where Cherki was in supreme form, that proved to be costly. So it was a relief that Le Bris confirmed afterwards that he expected the left back to be available next weekend, where he will have to be at his best if Sunderland are to land a positive result.
The news elsewhere was rather more mixed, though. It always felt like Habib Diarra was in a race against time to feature, and the Sunderland head coach confirmed that the game would likely come too soon. Luke O'Nien's deserved red card was an additional sting in the tail. He would have been unlikely to start next weekend, but would have offered valuable cover off the bench.
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