Premier League: Manchester City vs. Sunderland commentary

          • ESPN staffAug 13, 2016, 05:50 PM

          The Premier League is back in action as Pep Guardiola makes his debut as Manchester City manager at home to Sunderland.

          Please refresh for latest updates.

          TOMORROW: We'll be back with Jose Mourinho's first Premier League game as Manchester United manager. The Red Devils travel to Bournemouth before Arsenal host Liverpool straight after. Join us from 1.00pm BST.

          FULL TIME: CITY 2-1 SUNDERLAND - It wasn't easy or convincing but Guardiola's City come through their first test with three points. There is a lot of room for improvement. There is no doubt Moyes will be disappointed but Sunderland showed plenty of promise and plenty of fight.

          19.16 BST: Four minutes of added time to be played.

          19.15 BST: CITY CHANCE - It's City's turn to counter attack now. Aguero breaks and instead of shooting he passes to Iheanacho who turns well but lifts his shot well over the bar from close range. The Nigerian could have passed again, to Delph who was open and had an open goal to aim at.

          19.12 BST: CITY GOAL - They have pulled it off! Navas takes on Van Aanholt down the right and beats him before crossing into the box where McNair, who is fresh on the pitch and a Manchester United player just days ago, heads into his own goal to likely hand City three points.

          19.11 BST: City are controlling possession but Sunderland are well set in defence and look capable of dealing with everything that is thrown their way. Younes Kaboul in particular has been immense at the back for the Black Cats.

          19.08 BST: SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTION - That's a big call from Moyes. Defoe is taken off for Paddy McNair. Januzaj will finish the game up front for Sunderland who now have an extra defender on the pitch.

          19.06 BST: CITY SUBSTITUTION - Clichy is taken off for Iheanacho. That's a real statement of intent from Guardiola with his final sub. City have 10 minutes to win the game.

          19.04 BST: City earn a corner after Love and Kone decide to team up on Sterling, who remains a threat. Meanwhile, on the touchline, Guardiola looks increasingly frustrated by what he sees as he stands there hands on hips.

          Iheanacho is stripped and being given tactical instructions, with Clichy ready to depart.

          19.03 BST: The 33-year-old scored 15 Premier League goals in 32 appearances last season and he looks to be picking up where he left off.

          19.00 BST: England manager Sam Allardyce is in attendance alongside Gareth Southgate.

          18.56 BST: SUNDERLAND GOAL - Defoe times his run perfectly to collect a through ball from Rodwell and slips inbetween the City defence before sliding the ball past Caballero. Sunderland are level and not unfairly. They've hung in there and taken their opportunity.

          With two subs already made what will Guardiola's next move be? Kelechi Iheanacho is on the bench.

          18.55 BST: City have not put Sunderland away, something that obviously troubles Guardiola given the animated figure he is currently cutting on the touchline. Into the final 20 minutes and it remains 1-0 thanks to Aguero's early penalty.

          18.53 BST: LOVE BOOKED - Sunderland debutant Love gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position after Sterling again causes him trouble down the left wing. Mannone saves the free-kick comfortably but gives away a corner.

          18.50 BST: DOUBLE SUNDERLAND SUBSTITUTION - Watmore and Gooch are off with Januzaj and Wahbi Khazri entering the fray.

          18.49 BST: CITY SUBSTITUTION - Fabian Delph comes on to replace David Silva.

          18.46 BST: CITY CHANCE - Sunderland claim the ball went out but Sterling showed Love a clean set of heels down the left wing before dragging the ball across goal. Aguero is there but he drags his shot wide. A disappointing finish to City's most meaningful attack for some time.

          18.44 BST: CITY SUBSTITUTION - The first change of the match will actually be made by City. Jesus Navas replaces debutant Nolito.

          18.43 BST - City's possession has actually been even more impressive in the second half -- 83 percent so far.

          18.39 BST: Despite their wealth of attacking options there are times when City almost look unsure of how to break Sunderland down.

          On the occasion they do, Aguero making a run across Kaboul, Van Aanholt steps in to clear the danger and we're back to cat-and-mouse patient possession football.

          18.36 BST: JANUZAJ IMMINENT - Moyes is not willing to settle for this scoreline for too much longer. Manchester United loanee Adnan Januzaj is certainly a player capable of making things happen and will love to test himself against City.

          18.34 BST: The second half has picked up where the first left off. City look comfortable and capable of dominating possession and penetrating Sunderland, with the Black Cats a threat on the counter attack.

          18.30 BST: SECOND HALF - We're back underway-- no changes at half time.

          18.26 BST: It's going to take time for Guardiola to fully implement his ideas at City and make them work but his tactical flexibility is great to watch. The way he has set up the defence, as cited below, has allowed Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva and Nolito to line up and attack together, albeit with limited effect thus far.

          18.20 BST: Sunderland didn't win until their 10th Premier League game last season, while City won their first five in a row without conceding.

          This is one record David Moyes will want to break!This is one record David Moyes will want to break!

          HALF TIME - City have dominated but for all their threat Sunderland have defended well and remain in the game. They haven't had many chances to attack but with City having Caballero in goal, Stones making his debut and Kolarov playing an unusual role in central defence there is hope for the Black Cats to fight back.

          18.15 BST: One minute of additional time to be played.

          18.12 BST: GOOCH BOOKED - Sterling gets away from Gooch and is pulled down by the American, winning a free kick and earning the Sunderland youngster the first caution of the game.

          18.10 BST: SUNDERLAND CHANCE - A sustained spell of Sunderland pressure results in Caballero making a point-blank save from Defoe. City have taken their foot off the gas as the half wears on and are beginning to make one or two sloppy errors. That was the Black Cats' best chance yet.

          18.07 BST: Sunderland are camped deep in their own half with nine men behind the ball and only Defoe forward, but as Watmore shows when he breaks and wins a free kick on the right-wing there is still a chance for the Black Cats while the game stays 1-0.

          18.05 BST: STATS BREAKDOWN - City have enjoyed 76 percent possession so far and a total of six shots with three on target.

          More on the match stats here.

          18.02 BST: This is a fair appraisal from Sunderland. Gooch, on his debut, has looked at home and probably Sunderland's best player so far.

          And Sterling, after questions about his ability and attitude in recent months, looks hungry and like he has a point to prove.

          17.59 BST: SWEEPER KEEPER - Defoe gets into space between Kolarov and Stones and looks to be going through on goal but Caballero is off his line in a flash in true Manuel Neuer style and slides the ball away from danger.

          17.57 BST: City have even got great players in the stands. Summer signing Ilkay Gundogan is injured and not ready to play just yet but he'll be a great addition to the midfield on his return to fitness.

          Supporting from the stands! ✊ Good match for us so far ... ⚽�� #cityvsafc #mcfc #premierleague pic.twitter.com/biEqlhahyp

          17.54 BST: CITY CHANCE - With City not having much luck in the area Nolito goes for broke and swings a shot in from the left wing. It's close, but it drifts wide. That shows that while Sunderland are keeping Aguero quiet in the middle City have threats all over the field.

          17.53 BST: John Stones has had an enjoyable debut so far. Although he hasn't had much defending to do in the opening exchanges. It won't be as easy as this every week.

          17.50 BST: Sunderland have got men behind the ball and are trying to squeeze City for space in the area. Silva breaks into the box from the left and tries to play in Aguero but the striker can't shoot and lays off to Sterling. He shows some fancy footwork and makes space but his effort is high and wide.

          17.47 BST: Sunderland's lack of options in midfield are highlighted by David Moyes' decision to start 35-year-old John O'Shea in the holding role. The former Manchester United man is having to deal with De Bruyne and Silva.

          17.44 BST: Sergio Aguero's form this calendar year has been lethal. Don't bet against him getting on the scoresheet again today.

          17.40 BST: SUNDERLAND CHANCE - Under pressure Caballero gives away possession and Gooch makes space to cross down the left, drilling a low ball across the area but Borini and Defoe can't connect and get a shot off. It's been a fast start at the Etihad and although Sunderland have been on the back foot they have threatened on two occasions.

          17.39 BST: CITY DOMINANT - Nolito earns a corner on the left flank from debutant Donald Love.

          In the opening exchanges City have been utterly dominant and camped out in Sunderland's half. Kaboul attempts to head clear from Silva's corner. Aguero manages to squeeze a shot in but Mannone comfortably smothers the ball.

          17.37 BST: The ball is played into the Sunderland box from the left wing and Van Aanholt shows the disarray in Sunderland's defence right now by clumsily clearing over his own bar and giving away a corner. De Bruyne sends in an outswinger but it fails to threaten.

          17.35 BST: City win a free-kick on the left wing. Kolarov and Stones are up from the back but De Bruyne drives powerfully at goal. Mannone punches away but City retain possession. It's been a confident start from Pep Guardiola's new charges.

          17.33 BST: SERGIO AGUERO GIVES MANCHESTER CITY THE LEAD

          4. AGUERRRRRRROOOOOOO!!! He scores it! #cityvsafc #mcfc pic.twitter.com/8YLDuQNTNz

          No problem for Aguero. The Argentina international coolly steps up and blasts home to give City an early lead and lift any nerves.

          17.33 BST: MANCHESTER CITY PENALTY

          City go straight down the other end. Van Aanholt drags down Raheem Sterling in the area and gives away a cheap penalty

          17.31 BST: Immediately those doubts about City's defence rear their head as Fernandinho is sold short by a Kolarov pass and gives away a foul and Van Aanholt forces a save from Caballero. The goalkeeper parries when arguably he could have collected cleanly first time and Sunderland are given a second chance.

          17.30 BST: KICK OFF - Sunderland kick off shooting right to left, both teams in their home strips.

          17.27 BST: The teams are out, the handshakes are done and we're just moments from kick-off.

          17.21 BST: With Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Raheem Sterling behind him there is every chance Sergio Aguero can add to this record.

          3 - Sergio Aguero has scored three goals and assisted two more in his last three Premier League appearances against Sunderland. Pest.

          17.17 BST: Pep Guardiola on if he has set Manchester City a target for the season.

          He said: "I need that. To achieve on our level we need that pressure. I want to win all the games but my happiness doesn't depend on exclusively on that.

          "When we don't win I will be so, so sad. But after that I try to analyse why we didn't win and now I am reconnecting immediately for the next game. And I need that, so I need to feel pressure, the people demanding to win."ion."

          17.09 BST: Sunderland are handing a debut to 20-year-old Californian midfielder Lynden Gooch. Having spent time on loan with Gateshead and Doncaster Rovers, David Moyes has obviously seen enough to give him a big chance to impress.

          17.05 BST: David Moyes is taking charge of Sunderland for the first time and he has named new signing Donald Love in the team. Lamine Kone, who is linked with a move to Everton also starts but Papy Djilobodji, Paddy McNair and Adnan Januzaj start on the bench.

          17.00 BST: Stay tuned. Next up is Manchester City vs. Sunderland. The headline news for the hosts is that Joe Hart has been dropped for Willy Caballero. John Stones and Nolito make their City debuts, Aleksandar Kolarov starts alongside Stones in central defence, while Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony are not in the squad.

          FULL TIME: MIDDLESBROUGH 1-1 STOKE

          FULL TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 1-1 WATFORD

          FULL TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST BROM

          FULL TIME: BURNLEY 0-1 SWANSEA

          FULL TIME: EVERTON 1-1 TOTTENHAM

          16.47 BST: BUR vs. SWA - Deep into added time Lukasz Fabianski pulls off a terrific double save to deny Burnley a late equaliser.

          16.44 BST: Not long to go and it looks like Swansea and West Bromwich Albion will be the big winners today unless we get any late drama.

          16.39 BST: SWANSEA GOAL - Leroy Fer taps in the rebound after Fernando Llorente's header is saved brilliantly by Tom Heaton. A tough break for Burnley but great from Jefferson Montero in the build-up.

          16.36 BST: WATFORD RED CARD - The Hornets are down to 10 men. Last man Ben Watson has been dismissed for fouling Shane Long outside the box. The game is finely poised and this could tip it in the favour of Southampton. There's 14 minutes remaining.

          16.34 BST: MCI vs. SUN TEAM NEWS - The big news coming out of Manchester is that Joe Hart has been dropped for Willy Caballero. And Aleksandar Kolarov is starting at centre-back alongside John Stones. Yaya Toure is believed to be fit but has not even been named among the subs.

          The headline news for the visitors is Donald Love makes his debut but fellow signings Papy Djilobodji, Paddy McNair and Adnan Januzaj start on the bench.

          Sunderland XI: Mannone, Love, van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone, O'Shea, Rodwell, Gooch, Watmore, Borini, Defoe.

          Sunderland Subs: Pickford, Djilobodji, Lens, McNair, Khazri, Asoro, Januzaj.

          16.32 BST: WEST BROM GOAL - Salomon Rondon has given West Brom the lead against Crystal Palace with 16 minutes remaining. Rondon loses his marker to head home a James McClean free-kick.

          16.30 BST: CRY vs. WBA - Will this be goodbye from Yannick Bolasie at Selhurst Park? And can the reported Everton target make a difference and earn Palace three points?

          16.28 BST - EVE vs. TOT - A change up front for Everton, but how they could do with Romelu Lukaku today.

          16.26 BST - MID vs. STK - Xherdan Shaqiri has dragged Stoke back onto level terms against Middlesbrough with a free-kick that Victor Valdes can only get fingertips to.

          16.19 BST - BUR vs. SWA - Gylfi Sigurdsson has entered the fray for Leon Britton as Swansea look to make a difference against Premier League new boys Burnley and he almost has an immediate impact.

          16.17 BST: SOUTHAMPTON GOAL - Nathan Redmond scores on his Southampton debut to level the score against Watford. A corner drops to the former Norwich man in the box and he fires home. Game on.

          16.16 BST: TOTTENHAM GOAL - Erik Lamela scores with a diving header into the left-hand corner of the goal from a right-wing cross from Kyle Walker.

          16.16 BST: BUR vs. SWA - Burnley are stepping it up against Swansea now with Andre Gray forcing Lukasz Fabianski into a save.

          16.14 BST: SOU vs. WAT - There's a change for Southampton too. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, a summer signing from Bayern Munich, replaces James Ward-Prowse in midfield.

          16.12 BST: EVE vs. TOT - A second change for Tottenham. Mauricio Pochettino has recognised the need for more cutting edge and given Spurs more of an attacking looking line-up. But will it work?

          16.09 BST: There's a lot of big names on benches up and down the country who could impact the game in the second-half. Jose Fonte for Southampton, who look shaky at the back. Gylfi Sigurdsson for Swansea who are goalless and look stifled against Burnley. And Yannick Bolasie for Crystal Palace who are locked in a goalless draw with West Brom.

          16.04 BST: EVE vs. TOT - A bit of clarification from Tottenham on what's going on with Hugo Lloris.

          16.02 BST: Don't forget Manchester City vs. Sunderland follows. Pep Guardiola's Premier League bow. Will Joe Hart make the team?

          16.00 BST: We're back underway across the Premier League. If things don't change then both Watford and Everton's new manager's will earn three points in their first game and Middlesbrough will claim a very impressive victory on their Premier League return.

          HALF TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 WATFORD

          HALF TIME: MIDDLESBROUGH 1-0 STOKE

          HALF TIME: BURNLEY 0-0 SWANSEA

          HALF TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-0 WEST BROM

          HALF TIME: EVERTON 1-0 TOTTENHAM

          15.45 BST: EVE vs. TOT - Everton have been far the better side at Goodison Park and they should have been two goals in front but Gerard Deulofeu sees his shot saved by Michel Vorm when he should have scored with ease.

          15.42 BST: CRY vs. WBA - Palace have been restricted to just one long effort from Andros Townsend in the first half. They look like a team in desperate need of a striker. Expect them to step up their chase for Christian Benteke next week.

          15.38 BST: MID vs.STK - Boro are relentlessly going for a second goal and come close through Gaston Ramirez.

          15.36 BST: EVE vs. TOT - Hugo Lloris has been replaced by Michel Vorm in goal for Tottenham. Lloris jogged off and didn't appear injured. There hasn't been an official reason given for the change yet.

          15.31 BST: Check out the Ross Barkley goal that put Everton in front against Tottenham.

          15.28 BST: Boro's bright start! Opta reports that Alvaro Negredo has scored with his first Premier League shot on target for both Manchester City and Middlesbrough.

          15.27 BST: BUR vs. SWA - It's been a quiet start at Turf Moor with few chances to speak of.

          15.24 BST: EVE vs. TOT - One-way traffic in Everton's favour at Goodison Park. They have started brightly while Spurs are struggling. But will it last? Ronald Koeman bemoaned his squad's fitness this week and it'll be interesting to see if they burn out towards the end, especially against a Tottenham team known to press.

          15.20 BST: CRY vs. WBA - Salomon Rondon has started with purpose for West Brom who are the better team against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Rondon's right-wing cross finds Saido Berahino but his contact isn't great and he puts the chance wide.

          15.17 BST: SOU vs. WAT - Walter Mazzarri is making a good first impression as Watford boss. The Hornets are on top at St. Mary's and Southampton can't get a foot in the game at the moment.

          15.15 BST: EVE vs. TOT - A decent chance for Harry Kane comes to an end when the Spurs striker is adjudged to have fouled Ramiro Funes Mori but it looked completely fair. Kane would have been free in the box.

          15.11 BST: MIDDLESBROUGH GOAL - Alvaro Negredo has made the perfect start at Boro on his return to the Premier League. Boro lead against Stoke. Albert Adomah's left wing cross is headed into the path of Negredo by Gaston Ramirez.

          15.09 BST: WATFORD GOAL - Etienne Capoue has grabbed his first goal for the Hornets and what an important one it could be. The midfielder blasts into the roof of the net from close range after Troy Deeney heads back Nordin Amrabat's cross.

          15.05 BST: EVERTON GOAL - Ross Barkley has opened the scoring for Everton. Tottenham debutant Victor Wanyama gives away a free-kick which Barkley floats in. It's one of those that deceives the goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris is waiting for someone to touch it but it doesn't happen and floats in.

          What a start for Ronald Koeman at Goodison Park.

          15.03 BST: EVE vs. TOT - The Toffees are playing three at the back, a system Ronald Koeman employed several times at Southampton.

          15.00 BST: We're underway across the Premier League.

          14.58 BST: Southampton vs. Watford team news - Walter Mazzarri is also making his Premier League bow. Here's his Watford team to take on Southampton.

          14.56 BST: Southampton vs. Watford team news - Jose Fonte is on the bench for Southampton amid links of a move to Manchester United. Claude Puel's first Premier League XI looks a strong one, that aside.

          14.54 BST: Middlesbrough vs. Stoke team news - Shay Given starts in place of the injured Jack Butland in goal for Stoke.

          14.53 BST: Middlesbrough vs. Stoke team news - Victor Valdes and Alvaro Negredo are both in Boro's XI on their Premier League return but Jordan Rhodes is forced to settle for a place among the substitutes.

          14.50 BST: Everton vs. Tottenham team news - The Tottenham team is familiar and looks strong. Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane are all there and so is new boy Victor Wanywama who makes his debut. Vincent Janssen starts on the bench.

          14.47 BST: Everton vs. Tottenham team news - Romelu Lukaku misses out through injury so Gerard Deulofeu starts up front for the Toffees, and new signing Ashley Williams isn't in the squad but Idrissa Gueye plays in midfield and 19-year-old defender Mason Holgate is making his debut.

          14.45 BST: Crystal Palace vs. West Brom team news - Saido Berahino is named in the team to face Palace, alongside new signing Matt Phillips.

          14.42 BST: Crystal Palace vs. West Brom team news - Alan Pardew hands a debut to Andros Townsend but Yohan Cabaye, Joe Ledley and, perhaps most interestingly of all, Yannick Bolasie, are named on the bench.

          14.39 BST: Burnley vs. Swansea team news - The Clarets will be facing a Swansea team with Fernando Llorente in attack, but Gylfi Sigurdsson is only named on the bench. Leon Britton captains the side.

          14.37 BST: Burnley vs. Swansea team news - Burnley will want to follow in the footsteps of Hull and claim three points on their return to the Premier League. Up front Andre Gray, who scored 23 goals last season, will be vital.

          TEAM NEWS: Here's how the Clarets line-up today against @SwansOfficial. #ClaretsLIVE pic.twitter.com/IANJd5OPaZ

          14.35 BST: Here's a look at the 3pm BST games. Team news to follow shortly.

          Burnley vs. Swansea

          Crystal Palace vs. West Bromwich Albion

          Everton vs. Tottenham

          Middlesbrough vs. Stoke

          Southampton vs. Watford

          14.33 BST: The action doesn't stop there, though. There's a selection of games kicking off shortly which we have got covered and they will be followed by Pep Guardiola's Premier League bow as Manchester City manager against David Moyes' Sunderland.

          14.30 BST: The Premier League is back! And what a way to kick off the 2016-17 campaign. Leicester began their title defence with a shock 2-1 defeat against newly promoted Hull at the KC Stadium.