However, City did manage to take three points with a 1-0 win against the Black Cats at Eastlands on Sunday afternoon courtesy of a Micah Richards goal.
"Micah Richards will get some headlines because of the goal but there was a real determination in his play generally," the City boss said after the match.
"He made a positive impact in the opposition half.
"We should have put the game to bed with all the chances we had.
"We had a hard week with our UEFA Cup tie going to extra-time and Sunderland were fresher at the end because they didn't play in midweek."