Sunderland 0, Man City 3: City are heading the Wright way

IT WAS easy to see why Mark Hughes is convinced Shaun Wright-Phillips will be an even better player second-time round for Manchester City.

The City manager witnessed Wright-Phillips make a triumphant return at the Stadium of Light where two goals on his debut sealed an impressive City victory against Sunderland which hoisted them into third place in the Premier League.

Wright-Phillips was viewed as City’s heartbeat before his £21million move to Chelsea three years and, on the evidence of yesterday’s emotional homecoming and second debut, he could prove the catalyst for a successful season.

Of his £10m capture, Hughes said: “I thought Shaun was excellent - not only his goals but his general play. Every time he was in possession it looked as though something was going to happen.

“He will bring a new element to our game and a new threat to opposing teams because he showed again he is an exceptionally gifted football player.

“I was conscious Shaun has not played a lot of football and thought he might tire at the end. I don’t think he was particularly pleased to come off at the end, but I did so that he could acknowledge the crowd.”

And reflecting on the three years at Chelsea, Hughes believes Wright-Phillips will have benefited from being at a top-four club, even though he was not a regular in their side.

He continued: “Shaun is a better player in his second spell at Manchester City than when he left and we are going to reap the benefits of that.”

And Wright-Phillips is happy to be back at City, declaring: “It feels as though I have never been away, apart from a few new faces, and that I have been away on a long holiday and I am back home again.”

Hughes, who was without injured winger Martin Petrov, was delighted by his side’s display as City’s new manager begins to stamp his mark on the team.

And for the first time in this turbulent start to the campaign, we are talking about events on the pitch instead of off it.

The goals certainly came at key moments, two scored either side of half time to knock the stuffing out of the home side.

Sunderland had started brightly, playing at a high tempo and constructing some neat, passing moves without ever creating a clear-cut chance.

While Wright-Phillips received many of the plaudits, fellow new-boy Vincent Kompany was again an unsung hero as midfield anchorman, breaking down play before launching attacks.

The first half looked set to finish goalless until Michael Johnson fired in a low cross from the right of the penalty area and it was only cleared by Danny Collins as far as Stephen Ireland whose scuffed shot from the edge of the box bobbled low past keeper Craig Gordon.

Less than five minutes after the restart, City doubled their advantage after the Sunderland defence was caught napping. Johnson released Brazilian Jo on the left of the penalty area and the unmarked Wright-Phillips almost walked the his cross into the net from six yards.

City sealed victory with a third goal before the hour mark when Michael Ball launched a long high ball over the Sunderland defence and Wright-Phillips ran through to poke it past advancing keeper Gordon.