STEPHEN Ireland slammed home a second-half volley to sink Sunderland and maintain City's 100 per cent home Premier League record.

A spirited Black Cats side had frustrated the Blues until substitute Darius Vassell broke down the left and crossed for Ireland to finish with style.

The result - City's seventh home league win of the season - rockets Sven-Goran Eriksson's men back into third in the table.

Midfielder Ireland has endured a difficult couple of months amid a much-publicised withdrawal from Republic of Ireland duty, when he was found to have lied about the death of both his grandmothers to hide the fact his partner had suffered a miscarriage.

Further speculation over his treatment within the Irish camp led to him putting his entire international career on hold.

Clearly though, Ireland’s troubles have had no effect on his performances for City and the 21-year-old signalled his well-being by thunderously dispatching Vassell’s cross through Craig Gordon’s legs.

The strike was a rare moment of quality during a frantic game. City fans may have responded to their team’s fine form this term but the only thing which raised them from their slumber was former United star Roy Keane’s slow walk to the edge of his technical area.

So synonymous is the Irishman with United’s success down the years, the mere sight of him emerging from the visitors dug-out was enough to send the home supporters into a state of apoplexy.

Mazy

Star man Elano embarked on one mazy dribble but failed to test Gordon and the Brazilian also lined up a 35-yard free-kick, only for the expectancy to give way to groans as his shot flew harmlessly wide.

Returning front man Emile Mpenza spurned City’s best chance, screwing Elano’s through ball wide from 15 yards.

With only two points to show for his side’s efforts on the road since their summer return to the top flight, Keane must have been delighted to restrict his hosts to such meagre pickings.

He may also have reflected on Anthony Stokes’ failure to convert the clearest opportunity of the entire half when he rose to meet Grant Leadbitter’s excellent cross and guided his header fractionally wide of Joe Hart’s right-hand post.

In restoring Hart to his starting line-up ahead of Sweden World Cup star Andreas Isaksson, Eriksson had shown immense faith in the former Shrewsbury youngster, one of the more astute purchases of Pearce’s reign.

Hart certainly had his wits about him at the start of the second period when Liam Miller fed Kenwyne Jones, whose first-time effort forced the keeper into a low save.

Rolando Bianchi was given just over half an hour to impress, although his chances were limited, but half-time substitute Vassell had more impact. 

In bringing Vassell on for Michael Johnson at the break, Eriksson made the kind of astute tactical switch so regularly lacking in his England days.

Vassell’s added pace on the left provided City with an extra attacking outlet and the former England star left Nyron Nosworthy inside the box before crossing perfectly for Ireland to rattle home.

Sunderland huffed and puffed but in the end, Eriksson’s men, with Vedran Corluka in fine form, eased home.

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