Mark Hughes, with former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini watching in the stands, saw Manchester City and Sunderland played out a seven-goal thriller at Eastlands.
Roque Santa Cruz opened the scoring after just four minutes when he side-footed home a low cross from Craig Bellamy, who was then brought down in the box for Carlos Tévez to drill home the spot-kick on 12 minutes.
However, Sunderland then suddenly sprang to life and found a route back into the game after 16 minutes when John Mensah headed home Andy Reid's cross after the hosts failed to deal with a corner.
The visitors leveled on 24 minutes through Jordan Henderson only for City to restore the lead 10 minutes before half-time through Bellamy's precise finish.
Poor defending from City again allowed the Black Cats to equalise on 62 minutes when Kenwyne Jones met a Henderson centre with a diving header.
But Sunderland were behind again just seven minutes later as Gareth Barry ghosted in behind the Black Cats defence and steered the ball across goal for Santa Cruz to nudge over the line.
The visitors finished the match with 10 men when Michael Turner saw red late on for dangerous play on Barry.
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Roque Santa Cruz opened the scoring after just four minutes when he side-footed home a low cross from Craig Bellamy, who was then brought down in the box for Carlos Tévez to drill home the spot-kick on 12 minutes.
However, Sunderland then suddenly sprang to life and found a route back into the game after 16 minutes when John Mensah headed home Andy Reid's cross after the hosts failed to deal with a corner.
The visitors leveled on 24 minutes through Jordan Henderson only for City to restore the lead 10 minutes before half-time through Bellamy's precise finish.
Poor defending from City again allowed the Black Cats to equalise on 62 minutes when Kenwyne Jones met a Henderson centre with a diving header.
But Sunderland were behind again just seven minutes later as Gareth Barry ghosted in behind the Black Cats defence and steered the ball across goal for Santa Cruz to nudge over the line.
The visitors finished the match with 10 men when Michael Turner saw red late on for dangerous play on Barry.
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