Manchester City strolled to a 4-1 win at home to Sunderland on Boxing Day to move three points behind Leicester ahead of the trip to the King Power next week.
However, Manuel Pellegrini will be concerned at the sight of Vincent Kompany needing to be substituted soon after being introduced in the second half. Kompany’s assorted injury woes and a lack of a cutting edge in Sergio Aguero’s absence has undermined City’s campaign but it wasn’t a problem on Saturday as Sunderland were swept aside.
With David Silva right back in form and Kevin De Bruyne supplying a stream of crosses that Sunderland found impossible to defend, City’s forward momentum in a barnstorming opening half hour was unstoppable.
This was a much-needed win to get back on track following Monday’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal, with Silva and De Bruyne the standout performers, but Pellegrini will know tougher tests lie ahead — starting with that clash against Leicester.
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