Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras scored two goals in as many minutes but his side made hard work of their win over bottom club Sunderland.
It looked ominous for the visitors when Samaras angled in a drive after nine minutes before lashing in his second.
But City eased off and Kevin Kyle pulled one back for Sunderland, who gained in belief as the game wore on.
Micah Richards was denied a penalty for City, who held on, with the visitors' Gary Breen sent off late on.
City had wasted little time at the start of the match in immediately pinning back Sunderland and they used the expansive Eastlands pitch to probe a path through the visitors' defence.
Sunderland looked out of their depth and gifted the home side the lead when central defender Danny Collins lingered in possession and was robbed by Samaras.
Reaction: Pearce praises Samaras
The Greek international powered his shot past keeper Kelvin Davis from a tight angle before adding a second a minute later when he volleyed Trevor Sinclair's cross into the bottom corner.
City's main danger was complacency and it duly proved their downfall as they allowed Sunderland back into the game with a goal from a set-piece.
Julio Arca found Black Cats central defender Breen with a free-kick and he headed across goal for Kyle to apply the simplest of finishes.
Sunderland's spirits were lifted as they began to have more of a say in proceedings, although City remained in control and seemed able to step up the pace of the game at will.
Sunderland briefly gained the upper hand after the break but City had the chance to finish them off only for Samaras to shoot straight at keeper Davis.
Whitehead went close at the other end but knew little of his effort as he met a cross from Nyron Nosworthy.
Sunderland may have had a penalty awarded against them but breathed a sigh of relief when City's appeals were waved away after Richards went over after a challenge by an on-rushing Davis.
But any hopes they had of salvaging a draw were ended when Breen was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for his handball when blocking David James' throw.
Man City: James, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Reyna (Ireland 81), Musampa, Riera (Jihai 60), Vassell (Wright-Phillips 68), Samaras.
Subs Not Used: Weaver, Croft.
Booked: Riera.
Goals: Samaras 9, 10.
Sunderland: Davis, Nosworthy, Collins, Breen, McCartney, Delap (Lawrence 61), Whitehead, Leadbitter, Arca, Elliott (Le Tallec 82), Kyle (Stead 82).
Subs Not Used: Caldwell, Joe Murphy.
Sent Off: Breen (85).
Booked: Whitehead, Breen, Delap.
Goal: Kyle 25.
Att: 42,200
Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).