THE M.E.N's Chris Bailey gives his verdict on the players' performance after this match saw City retain their unbeaten run this season.

JAMES: Got plenty of stick from the home fans but never flinched and looked in top form - 7

MILLS: Like his colleagues was given a hard enough time but as usual got stuck in when necessary - 5

DUNNE: Won most of the headers he challenged for and quietly authoritative but defence looked vulnerable - 6

JORDAN: Le Tallec and Stead were both detailed to test his ability in the air. The contest finished early but about equal - 5

THATCHER: Positioning was as good as ever but at times he and his colleagues were appeared overrun - 5

SINCLAIR: Took his goal superbly and that ought to have done his confidence a power of good - 6

BARTON: Great ball set up Vassell goal but on occasions Pearce would have liked him to sit more - 6

REYNA: Back at the stadium where he is still well respected but was never able to grab the game and run it - 6

MUSAMPA: Another frustrating night from the Dutchman who has to ally defence with attack - 5

COLE: Could have had at least two goals but had to settle for an unwitting assist for Sinclair - 6

VASSELL: Off the mark in clinical fashion and deserved the mobbing from his delighted teammates - 6



SUBS:
Onuoha (for Jordan 74) - brought odd to add pace and did so - 6

Sun (for Musampa 80) - too late to mark

Not used: De Vlieger, Sibierski and Wright-Phillips



SUNDERLAND: Davis, Breen, Whitehead, Elliott, Welsh, Nosworthy, Miller, Le Tallec (Lawrence 82), Gray (Stead 46), Stubbs, and Arca. Not used: Robinson, Caldwell, and Murphy.

GOALS: Sunderland: Le Tallec (41); CITY: Vassell (9) Sinclair (34)

BOOKINGS: Sunderland : Stead (76); CITY: Cole (66), Mills (68)

ATTENDANCE: 33,357; REFEREE: Peter Walton (Midlands) - mostly unobtrusive - 6















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