Consistency was the key to this match. Sunderland won their third home game in a row, sustaining the attacking energy and belief they have shown in spells all season for the full 90 minutes.

For their part Manchester City, who destroyed Norwich 7-0 last weekend looked poor and struggled to regularly test their hosts.

City have now lost four games away from home and their boss Manuel Pellegrini expressed concern. “We are losing too many points away,” he said. “It’s difficult if you are trying to win the Premier League.”

The decisive moment came after 20 minutes when Wes Brown found Phil Bardsley storming into box the down the left.

The defender shrugged off the attention of James Milner before curling the ball round Costel Pantilimon in the City goal. It was a neat finish but the keeper should have done better.

In the second half City were increasingly reliant on set pieces and long-range efforts. Sergio Aguero, Aleksander Kolarov and Edin Dzeko all went close but Sunderland held their own.

“In terms of oppositions and world-class players this was the biggest win of my career,” said Sunderland boss Gus Poyet. “I am so pleased for the players, now they need to believe in themselves.”