Manchester City were deserving winners over Sunderland, landing them the Barclays Asia Trophy in the process in a scrappy game, devoid of any real fluidity due to the atrocious weather conditions.
City looked comfortable throughout the game and opened the scoring early, in the 9th minute courtesy of a majestic left footed strike from Edin Dzeko.
City had chances either side of half time, with Dzeko missing the best of these after blazing a penalty well over the bar.
Sunderland rallied late on with a Sebastian Larsson free kick forcing Costel Pantilimon to make a fine save, but ultimately could not break down the solid Sky Blues defence.
Sunderland initially started the better of the two teams, dictating the play early on with Wes Brown going close with a header from a whipped in Larsson free kick, and an off target Adam Johnson effort before Edin Dzeko struck against the run of play. His half volley left Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone with no chance as it crashed in against the post.
The Citizens almost doubled their lead straight from the kick off as sloppy passing from Sunderland immediately gave the ball back to the opposition. Fortunately for the Black Cats City’s poor decision making let them down as the attack came to nothing although the onslaught continued, with a perfect David Silva through ball releasing Negredo, who missed high and wide at the near post.
Sunderland then came back into the game with a deflected Giaccherini shot just missing at the far post whilst intricate passing frequently broke down for the Mackems just outside the opposition box resulting in further frustration.
Right on the stroke of halftime stand in Sunderland right back Craig Gardner almost put through his own net after his attempted clearance from an in swinging David Silva free kick struck the upright, before a big clearance from American forward Jozy Altidore spared his blushes.
At halftime Connor Wickham was brought on for an ineffective Jozy Altidore for Sunderland with El-Hadji Ba replacing Cabral and Irish international goalkeeper Kieren Westwood taking the gloves from Vito Mannone. David Silva made way for debutant Jesus Navas whilst former Arsenal man Samir Nasri replaced James Milner.
There was a low tempo to the opening of the second half, as the conditions deteriorated with both sides struggling to create any clear-cut chances. Further substations were made by both sides with Toure, Clichy and Johnson making way for Fernandinho, Kolarov and Karlsson.
El-Hadji Ba then handled the ball in the area resulting in Anthony Taylor correctly pointing to the spot. However, the resulting penalty taken by Dzeko was horrendous as it was woefully struck high and wide of the target.
Shortly afterwards Sunderland threatened again with Connor Wickham advancing into the penalty area, but a well timed challenge from Kolarov snuffed out any chance for the England under 21 striker.
Chances came and went late on for both teams as the game became more open, with Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson having the last of these, his 20 yard out free kick tested Pantilimon although the Romanian international responded admirably as Manchester City sealed the win, and the title of Barclays Asia Trophy 2013 winners.
The Sunderland Supporter 