On January 1, 2015, Manchester City faced Sunderland in a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City secured a thrilling 3-2 victory, with both teams contributing to an exciting contest full of goals.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Manchester City: 3 (Yaya Touré 57′, Stevan Jovetić 66′, Frank Lampard 73′)
- Sunderland: 2 (Jack Rodwell 68′, Adam Johnson 71′ (pen.))
- Possession:
- Manchester City dominated possession with 67%, while Sunderland had 33%. City’s control of the ball allowed them to dictate the tempo for much of the match, particularly in the second half when they scored three goals in quick succession.
- Shots:
- Manchester City registered 14 shots, with 6 on target, reflecting their attacking intent and ability to create chances. Sunderland had 8 shots, with 3 on target, showing their resilience and ability to capitalize on their limited opportunities.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Manchester City displayed a high passing accuracy of 87%, completing 587 passes out of 673 attempts. Sunderland had a passing accuracy of 76%, completing 264 passes out of 348 attempts. City’s superior passing helped them maintain control, especially in the build-up to their goals.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Manchester City made 16 tackles compared to Sunderland’s 19, indicating Sunderland’s effort to regain possession and disrupt City’s play. City’s defense had moments of vulnerability, particularly during Sunderland’s quick double response, but held firm to secure the win.
- Set Pieces:
- Yaya Touré opened the scoring with a powerful long-range shot from open play, setting the tone for City’s second-half dominance. Stevan Jovetić added the second with a close-range finish after good build-up play, while Frank Lampard’s header from a cross proved to be the winning goal. Sunderland’s first goal came from a header by Jack Rodwell following a corner, and Adam Johnson scored a penalty after a foul in the box.
- Individual Performances:
- Yaya Touré was instrumental for Manchester City, scoring the crucial opening goal and controlling the midfield. Frank Lampard, coming off the bench, made an immediate impact by scoring the decisive goal. For Sunderland, Adam Johnson was a key figure, scoring from the penalty spot and creating problems for City’s defense.
- Tactical Overview:
- Manchester City employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on maintaining possession and creating chances through their creative midfielders. Sunderland used a 4-1-4-1 formation, aiming to be compact defensively and exploit set pieces and counter-attacks. City’s tactical approach eventually paid off, but Sunderland’s resilience kept them in the match until the final whistle.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw two yellow cards, both for Sunderland (Santiago Vergini 50′, Lee Cattermole 65′). The fouls were tactical, aimed at disrupting City’s attacking rhythm.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Manchester City won 8 corners compared to Sunderland’s 4, reflecting their territorial advantage and sustained pressure. City were caught offside twice, while Sunderland had one offside call, indicating City’s aggressive forward play.
Summary
Manchester City’s 3-2 victory over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on New Year’s Day 2015 was a hard-fought and entertaining contest. After a goalless first half, the game burst into life in the second half, with Yaya Touré opening the scoring with a stunning strike. City quickly added a second through Stevan Jovetić, but Sunderland responded with two quick goals from Jack Rodwell and Adam Johnson, the latter from the penalty spot, to level the match.
However, City’s experience and quality shone through, as Frank Lampard headed in the winning goal shortly after Sunderland’s equalizer. The result kept City in the hunt for the Premier League title, while Sunderland, despite their spirited performance, left empty-handed. The match is remembered for its thrilling second half, full of goals and momentum swings, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Premier League football.
