Man City 1-0 Sunderland

Ireland could face FA action for his goal celebration

Manchester City maintained their 100% Premier League home record and climbed to third in the table with a rocket of a volley from Stephen Ireland.

Ireland lit up an otherwise poor match when he made a cracking connection with Darius Vassell's cross from the left.

It was a cruel blow for Sunderland, who played the better for much of the game.

But Danny Collins and Anthony Stokes failed to find the target with flashing first-half headers and Kenwyne Jones could not turn in a left-wing cross.