Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero inspire Manchester City to win at Sunderland

Manchester City moved back into third place in the Premier League thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane in a 2-0 win at Sunderland.

Aguero opened the scoring against the run of play, flicking in a Raheem Sterling cross at the near post after Jermain Defoe had earlier hit the post.

Sane fired a shot in off the far post to double the lead after half-time, having been put through on goal by the impressive David Silva, and after that it was straightforward for the visitors.

Sunderland were competitive for much of the match but will rue missed chances, especially Fabio Borini who should have scored on the rebound when Defoe hit the woodwork, whereas Pep Guardiola will be delighted at his side keeping only their seventh clean sheet of the league campaign.

The victory takes Manchester City five points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal while leaving Sunderland bottom of the table on 19 points, six adrift of safety.

Sterling and Sane continue to terrorise. The speedy duo have been in great form in recent weeks and continued that today, causing plenty of problems for Sunderland’s full-backs. They were central to the goals, with Sterling putting in an inviting cross for the first and Sane finishing clinically for the second. Given Sterling’s 22 and Sane 21, this is a sight City fans may be seeing for many years to come.

David Silva (Manchester City): He’s really grown into this deeper role and was terrific again. Always composed on the ball, he dictated Man City’s play and supplied plenty of bullets for Sane and Sterling to fire.

Sunderland: Pickford 7, Jones 6, Kone 6, O'Shea 6, Oviedo 6, Januzaj 6, Gibson 5, Larsson 5, Ndong 6, Borini 5, Defoe 6. Subs: Rodwell 5, Khazri 5.

Manchester City: Caballero 6, Sagna 6, Stones 6, Kolarov 7, Clichy 6, Toure 7, Fernandinho 6, Silva 8, Sterling 7, Sane 7, Aguero 7. Subs: De Bruyne 6 Nolito 5.

20’ – WOODWORK! Defoe turns 25 yards from goal and smacks a bouncing shot into the post, then Borini heads the rebound wide when he really should have scored.

36’ – SAVE! Jones rises highest to meet a Januzaj corner but puts his header straight at Caballero.

42’ – GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Manchester City (Aguero). Man City lead! Sunderland get caught out pressing high up the pitch and City move the ball quickly with Toure and Silva feeding Sterling down the right and his low cross is met by Aguero, who flicks in at the near post.

59’ – GOAL! Sunderland 0-2 Manchester City (Sane). Silva plays in Sane on the left and weights the pass perfectly, meaning Sane can take it in his stride before lashing a shot in off the far post.

83’ – DISALLOWED GOAL! Kone flicks on a Khazri corner and Defoe nods it home but was offside by some distance.

88’ – SAVE! Pickford produces a fantastic save a full stretch to deny Aguero, who had struck a shot very sweetly from the edge of the box.

Manchester City have won eight of the last nine meetings between these two in all competitions.

Aguero has scored five goals in his last five games versus Sunderland.

Sane has scored in his last three games.