Black Cats scrapping for safety

HAVING emerged with their UEFA Cup hopes intact but their reputation slightly tarnished, Manchester City must find the energy to see off a determined Sunderland outfit at Eastlands on Sunday.

With 35 points in the bank, City are on target to achieve their first objective of Premier League safety.

But they are not there yet – and a Sunderland side scrapping for survival are just about the last opponents you need after 120 minutes of European football and the trauma of a penalty shoot-out.

City are six points clear of the relegation zone, so a win and a couple of draws should be sufficient for them to achieve safety.

Having had the luxury of a week off since last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Wigan, the Black Cats will be much fresher than a City side who narrowly overcame the challenge of Aalborg in Denmark last night.

City led 2-0 after the first leg and seemed well on course for a place in the quarter–finals until two late Aalborg goals left them needing penalty heroics from Shay Given to scrape through.

After playing cautiously for most of the game, the Danes upped the tempo and were rewarded when former Sheffield United forward Luton Shelton struck.

Aalborg maintained the pressure and forced extra time with a Michael Jakobsen penalty after Ched Evans handled.

City eventually went through 4–3 on spot–kicks after Given saved from Thomas Augustinussen and Shelton.

The win kept alive City's hopes of winning a first major piece of silverware since 1976.