Sunderland vs Manchester City - as it happened: Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero fire visitors to victory

Re-live all the action from the Stadium of Light

Leroy Sane celebrates with team-mates after scoring for his side (Getty)

Manchester City finally look like they’ve hit a bit of form after a torrid spell over Christmas which saw them drop out of the title race.

Since the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Everton in January, Pep Guardiola’s side have drawn 2-2 with Tottenham – a game they should have won – as well as three straight wins over West Ham, Swansea and Bournemouth.

Those results have pushed City back to third, one place behind second-placed Spurs, with a game in hand.

Bottom-of-the-table Sunderland stand in their way this weekend and, with only one win since the turn of the year, David Moyes faces a tough task to get his side out of trouble.

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Vital information…

The game kicks off at 4pm on Sunday 5 March and the game will be shown on Sky Sports 1.

It’s a big game for…

Sergio Aguero. Sunderland should prove cannon fodder for a striker of Aguero’s qualities and with Guardiola still unconvinced by the Argentine there is no better time for him to prove his worth. Aguero has scored four goals and two assists in his last four games against the Black Cats.

Sergio Aguero is showing the hunger for goals that Pep Guardiola wants to see (Getty)

Player to watch…

Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian is the creative hub of the Manchester City attack and will surely thrive against a leaky Sunderland defence which has conceded six goals in their last two games.

Best stat…

Jermain Defoe has scored eight goals against Manchester City over the course of his career and has only had more success against Wigan, who he has scored 10 against.

Form guide…

Sunderland: LLDWLL

Manchester City: WWWDWW

Odds…

Sunderland to win: 10/1

Manchester City to win: 3/11

Draw: 51/10

(Courtesy of 888.com)

[5 March 2017 17:39 · Joe Miles]

82 MINS

Substitution: Sterling is replaced by Nolito.

[5 March 2017 17:40 · Joe Miles]

83 MINS

Defoe gives Sunderland a glimmer of hope with a headed goal, but it's short lived as the offside flag is raised. Nonetheless, you have to praise their persistence. 

[5 March 2017 17:43 · Joe Miles]

86 MINS

De Bruyne picks up possession on the edge of the box in a bid to steal the third, but his left footed strike flies way over the target.

[5 March 2017 17:45 · Joe Miles]

89 MINS

De Bruyne finds Sane, who lays the ball off to Aguero on the edge of the box. The goalscorer strikes the ball beautifully, but Pickford parries the strike out for a corner. 

[5 March 2017 17:46 · Joe Miles]

89 MINS

Substitution: Sane is replaced by Delph.

[5 March 2017 17:49 · Joe Miles]

90 MINS

There will be a minimum of three additional minutes.

[5 March 2017 17:55 · Joe Miles]

FULL TIME

SUNDERLAND 0 - 2 MANCHESTER CITY

It's all over at the Stadium of Light, with City continuing their pursuit at the top of the Premier League. Goals from Aguero and Sane capped off the 2-0 victory, with Sunderland looking unlikely to ever construct a comeback. Defoe rattled the woodwork in the early stages, but aside from that it was a quiet day at the office for Caballero. The Citizens dominated possession throughout and teased the Sunderland side with constant passes around the back four and unstoppable moves going forward.

That's all from us today here at The Independent. Thanks for tuning in.