Manchester City 1-0 Sunderland:  Stephen Ireland put a season of controversy behind him with a Bonfire Night sparkler to preserve Manchester City's 100 per cent home record

The midfielder has endured a difficult couple of months amid a much-publicised withdrawal from Republic of Ireland duty, when he was found to have lied about the death of both his grandmothers to hide the fact his partner had suffered a miscarriage.

Further speculation over his treatment within the Irish camp led to him putting his entire international career on hold.

Clearly though, Ireland's troubles have had no effect on his performances for City and the 21-year-old signalled his well-being by thunderously dispatching Darius Vassell's cross through Craig Gordon's legs to send Sven-Goran Eriksson's men soaring back into the top three and leave them just two points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

It was tough luck on Sunderland, who worked tirelessly for manager Roy Keane but lacked the class in attack to collect the point their efforts deserved.

Having presided over a goalless streak in this stadium that stretched from New Year's Day to his departure at the end of the season, former City boss Stuart Pearce must have endured an eerie sense of deja-vu during a tepid first half for which 'damp squib' was the only appropriate phrase for November 5th.

The England Under-21 boss was among a plethora of big-name managers, including Sam Allardyce and David Moyes, to watch the non-event unfold.

City fans may have finally responded to their team's fine form this term but the only thing which raised them from deep-rooted slumber was Keane's slow walk to the edge of his technical area.

So synonymous is the Irishman with Manchester United's success down the years, the mere sight of him emerging from the visitors dug-out was enough to send the home supporters into a state of apoplexy.

Indeed, anyone in the Sunderland camp able to notice the change in atmosphere might have been advised to tell Keane to remain in his seat to ensure he did not provide City with the fillip required to reach the standards seen in all their other appearances on this ground under Eriksson.

Star man Elano embarked on one mazy dribble but failed to test Gordon and the Brazilian also lined up a 35-yard free-kick, only for the expectancy to give way to groans as his shot flew harmlessly wide.

Returning front man Emile Mpenza spurned City's best chance, screwing Elano's through ball wide from 15 yards.

With only two points to show for his side's efforts on the road since their summer return to the top flight, Keane must have been delighted to restrict his hosts to such slim pickings.

He may also have reflected on Anthony Stokes' failure to convert the clearest opportunity of the entire half when he rose to meet Grant Leadbitter's excellent cross and guided his header fractionally wide of Joe Hart's right-hand post.

In restoring Hart to his starting line-up ahead of Sweden World Cup star Andreas Isaksson, Eriksson had shown immense faith in the former Shrewsbury youngster, one of the more astute purchases of Pearce's reign.

Hart certainly had his wits about him at the start of the second period when Liam Miller fed Kenwyne Jones, whose first-time effort forced the keeper into a low save.

While there are quite a few Pearce purchases City might well have done without, Eriksson's mistakes in the transfer market have been rare.

Rolando Bianchi could be one though. The £8.8million forward may have scored City's first goal of the season at West Ham but the Italian has grown increasingly disenchanted with life in England.

Rumours have been growing that a January departure home is being lined up and speculation of a bid for Heerenveen's Alfonso Alves has only heightened such talk.

Given just over half an hour to impress, Bianchi did not make much of a case for further inclusion.

Thankfully for Eriksson, another of his substitutes, Darius Vassell, did.

In bringing Vassell on for Michael Johnson at the break, Eriksson made the kind of astute tactical switch so regularly lacking in his England days.

Vassell's added pace on the left provided City with an extra attacking outlet and the former England star left Nyron Nosworthy far too easily inside the box before crossing perfectly for Ireland to rattle home.

Sunderland huffed and puffed but in the end, Eriksson's men, with Vedran Corluka in fine form, eased home.