Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has praised his players' display in Thursday's 3-2 Premier League win against Sunderland at the Etihad, while criticising the opposition for their overly defensive display.

Yaya Toure broke the deadlock in the second half, before Stevan Jovetic marked the opening of a crazy five minutes with a second City goal, but the Black Cats pulled two quickfire goals back through Jack Rodwell and Adam Johnson.

However, substitute Frank Lampard scored with his second touch of the game to gift his side all three points.

Pellegrini told reporters after the game: "We played a very good 90 minutes, we moved the ball well and the only mistake was to give away a second goal from a penalty.

"The penalty was too easy for them. It was our mistake. We have Frank [Lampard] who scores goals but we also had four or five clear chances to score. Costel Pantilimon was their best player.

"We played against ten defenders for the whole game. Of course I am concerned that again we threw away a two-goal lead but it was different than against Burnley."

Man City are level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table, though the Blues have a superior goal difference and a game in hand.