Highlights: Manchester City 4-1 Sunderland; Resurgent City ride on Sergio Aguero's brilliance

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is greeted by his manager Manuel Pellegrini after being substituted

Manchester City continued their winning form as Sergio Aguero’s brace coupled with goals from Stefan Jovetic and Pablo Zabaleta ensured a handsome 4-1 victory over Sunderland. After their miraculous win against Bayern Munich last week, City seems a team with new found confidence which was evident in the Stadium of Light as they made light work of their opponents.

With this win City are on 30 points, still six behind the table-toppers Chelsea.

In the absence of captain Vincent Kompany, City’s weak defense line was exposed early on. Sunderland, who have tormented City for the past few seasons were at it again, as they broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Sebastian Larsson’s fine through ball found Connor Wickham in the box. Before he could pull the trigger, Zabaleta made an onrushing challenge but unluckily his momentum hit the ball against Wickham and swept it past Hart.

Just when it felt Sunderland might frustrate City again, an instant reply came through the individual brilliance of Aguero.The in-form striker made a devious turn,nutmegged a Sunderland defender and unleashed a piledriver to restore parity.

Buoyed by the goal, City started to assert their dominance in the midfield.In the near end of first -half YayaToure picked out Aguero.Then a sublime one touch pass to Jovetic, only to whip it by him through the legs of Pantilimon to make it 2-1.

In the second half a couple of early exchanges of 50-50 chances took place.However, it was city again who took the initiative.Zabaleta made amends for his early mistake as he played one two with Nasri inside the box and finally chipped it over the keeper.

Sunderland ruffled through these influx of goals were put to bed by Aguero in the 71minute. A inviting cross from Milner was efficiently poked into the back of the net by him.The argentinian seems to be in the form of his life and now has 14 goals in the Premier League this season.

Sunderland had no reply and barring few chances were clueless during the whole match.Their tactics of scoring and then defending deep could not work today.

City looks to be in imperious form again and have kept chelsea on their toes.This win would surely boost their morale for the next match against Everton and all important Champions League encounter against Roma next week.

Sunderland 1-1 Manchester City: Aguero(21’)

Sunderland 1-3 Pablo Zabaleta (55’)