Wanchope's treble sinks Sunderland

Sunderland's Kevin Phillips outjumps City's Steve Howey

Manchester City 4-2 Sunderland

Paolo Wanchope crowned his home debut in style with a hat-trick as Manchester City won a roller-coaster encounter with Sunderland.

Manchester City boss Joe Royle admitted his team never take the easy route - and they were as good as his word before beating Sunderland.

City looked set to bring Premiership football back to Maine Road in triumphant style as Sunderland were swept aside in an early onslaught.

Royle pleaded for his side not to be judged on the grim evident of their 4-0 defeat at fellow top flight newboys Charlton Athletic.

And they proved him right as first half goals from new summer signings Paolo Wanchope and Alf-Inge Haaland gave City a platform for victory.

But City then lost concentration to let Sunderland back in with two goals from Nial Quinn and Kevin Phillips.

It was very important to get our first victory and we have done that now, but it would nice if we could relax and have a cigar at City every now and then

  Manchester City boss Joe Royle

It all ended in joy as Wanchope struck twice more to win a place in Maine Road's hearts.

George Weah also made his mark inside the first three minutes as he set up Wanchope's opener.

The Liberian former World Footballer of the Year escaped down the left flank, and when his cross fell behind the Sunderland defence, Wanchope was lurking at the far post to lash the finish into the roof of the net.

Alf-Inge Haaland celebrates his goal

Sunderland gave a debut to new £2.5m summer signing Don Hutchison, but he had little chance to make an impact as Peter Reid's side were pinned back on his return to Maine Road.

Stanislav Varga headed acrobatically off the line from Spencer Prior - but it was only a brief reprieve as City added a second from Haaland.

Wanchope was provider as he skipped down the right flank, before crossing for Haaland to score from almost on the goal-line after 23 minutes.

At 2-2 I thought we would nick it but in all honesty, Man City deserved to win. Wanchope and George Weah got at us and though I tried to sort it out in the second half, we didn't turn up in the first

  Sunderland manager Peter Reid

Sunderland stemmed the tide for the rest of the first half - and their resilience was rewarded when Niall Quinn put them back in the game after 64 minutes with a trademark header beyond the reach of City keeper Nicky Weaver.

And three minutes later Sunderland were level, thanks to a stunning finish from last season's top scorer Kevin Phillips.

Inspiration

Kevin Kilbane did the donkey work on the right, but Phillips provided the inspiration by controlling and volleying home in one movement.

But on a roller-coaster night of emotionss, City were back in front, and once again it was Wanchope who was the hero.

He restored City's lead with twelve minutes to go, and then added his third and his team's fourth in the dying seconds.

---

Man City: Weaver, Edghill, Tiatto, Wiekens, Howey, Prior, Haaland, Horlock, Weah, Wanchope, Kennedy. Subs: Wright, Dickov, Wright-Phillips, Ritchie, Grant.

Sunderland: Macho, Makin, Gray, P. Butler, Varga, Kilbane, Thirlwell, Hutchison, Holloway, Phillips, Quinn. Subs: Marriott, Bould, Reddy, Roy, Oster.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill)