Barclays Premier League

MANCHESTER (PA SPORT) - Stephen Ireland put a season of controversy behind him with a Bonfire Night sparkler to preserve Manchester City's 100% home record with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

The midfielder has endured a difficult couple of months amid a much-publicised withdrawal from Republic of Ireland duty, when he was found to have lied about the death of both his grandmothers to hide the fact his partner had suffered a miscarriage.

Clearly though, Ireland's troubles have had no effect on his performances for City and the 21-year-old signalled his well-being by thunderously dispatching Darius Vassell's cross through Craig Gordon's legs to send Sven-Goran Eriksson's men soaring back into the top three and leave them just two points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

It was tough luck on Sunderland, who worked tirelessly for manager Roy Keane but lacked the class in attack to collect the point their endeavour deserved.

Having presided over a goalless streak in this stadium that stretched from New Year's Day to his departure at the end of the season, former City boss Stuart Pearce must have endured an eerie sense of deja-vu during a tepid first half for which `damp squib' was the only appropriate phrase for November 5.

The England Under-21 boss was among a plethora of big-name managers, including Sam Allardyce and David Moyes, to watch the non-event unfold.

City fans may have finally responded to their team's fine form this term but the only thing which raised them from deep-rooted slumber was Keane's slow walk to the edge of his technical area.

So synonymous is the Irishman with Manchester United's success down the years, the mere sight of him emerging from the visitors dug-out was enough to send the home supporters into a state of apoplexy.

Indeed, anyone in the Sunderland camp able to notice the change in atmosphere might have been advised to tell Keane to remain in his seat to ensure he did not provide City with the fillip required to reach the standards seen in all their other appearances on this ground under Eriksson.

Star man Elano embarked on one mazy dribble but failed to test Gordon and the Brazilian also lined up a 35-yard free-kick, only for the expectancy to give way to groans as his shot flew harmlessly wide.

Returning front man Emile Mpenza spurned City's best chance, screwing Elano's through ball wide from 15 yards.

With only two points to show for his side's efforts on the road since their summer return to the top flight, Keane must have been delighted to restrict his hosts to such meagre pickings.

He may also have reflected on Anthony Stokes' failure to convert the clearest opportunity of the entire half when he rose to meet Grant Leadbitter's excellent cross and guided his header fractionally wide of Joe Hart's right-hand post.

In restoring Hart to his starting line-up ahead of Sweden World Cup star Andreas Isaksson, Eriksson had shown immense faith in the former Shrewsbury youngster, one of the more astute purchases of Pearce's reign.

Hart certainly had his wits about him at the start of the second period when Liam Miller fed Kenwyne Jones, whose first-time effort forced the keeper into a low save.

While there are quite a few Pearce purchases City might well have done without, Eriksson's mistakes in the transfer market have been rare.

Rolando Bianchi could be one though. The £8.8million forward may have scored City's first goal of the season at West Ham but the Italian has grown increasingly disenchanted with life in England.

Rumours have been growing that a January departure home is being lined up and speculation of a bid for Heerenveen's Alfonso Alves has only heightened such talk.

Given just over half an hour to impress, Bianchi did not make much of a case for further inclusion.

Thankfully for Eriksson, another of his substitutes, Darius Vassell, did.

In bringing Vassell on for Michael Johnson at the break, Eriksson made the kind of astute tactical switch so regularly lacking in his England days.

Vassell's added pace on the left provided City with an extra attacking outlet and the former England star left Nyron Nosworthy far too easily inside the box before crossing perfectly for Ireland to rattle home.

Sunderland huffed and puffed but in the end, Eriksson's men, with Vedran Corluka in fine form, eased home.

Sven-Goran Eriksson fears Manchester City matchwinner Stephen Ireland will face an FA sanction over his risque goal celebration during tonight's 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

The 21-year-old, who has already been in his fair share of trouble this term after inventing the death of both grandmothers to cover up his partner's miscarriage during Republic of Ireland duty earlier this season, belted home City's second-half winner, then pulled down his shorts to reveal a pair of pants bearing the Superman logo.

Given the match was beamed live around the world, it is unlikely the FA will let the matter pass without some kind of intervention.

And, while Eriksson was full of praise for his young midfielder, he accepted Soho Square chiefs may be in touch.

'Stephen scored a nice goal and I would like to leave it there. Maybe the FA will look at it - but I hope not.'

Although his team recorded their seventh straight home win, moved back into third spot and within two points of leaders Arsenal, Eriksson will hope Ireland is not hit with a charge, especially as Michael Johnson is facing a spell on the sidelines.

Johnson informed Eriksson he could no longer continue at half-time after his troublesome groin injury flared up again, which leaves little alternative other than to send the England Under-21 international for surgery.

'Michael just could not run anymore,' he said.

'We will make a decision on an operation tomorrow but with an international break coming up, now would be a good time to have it.

'I am not sure how long he would be out but it won't be a long time, maybe two or three weeks.'

In Johnson's absence, Ireland will be asked to shoulder extra midfield responsibilities.

And, while tonight's ill-advised escapade suggests much more maturity is required, Eriksson has nothing but praise for the way Ireland has responded to his earlier problems.

'Stephen's reaction to what happened earlier this season has been extremely positive,' he said.

'He has been training very well, I am just a little bit surprised it has taken him a bit of time to play better.'

Eriksson also confirmed Nedum Onuoha will be sidelined for around 10 days with a groin problem, while Micah Richards felt fit enough to stride into the home dressing room to inform his manager his knee injury had eased sufficiently for him to play in Sunday's mouth-watering clash with fellow top-four hopefuls Portsmouth at Fratton Park, which is good news for England coach Steve McClaren.

While most observers felt at least a modicum of sympathy for Sunderland boss Roy Keane, whose side were worthy of a point for their industry alone, the former Manchester United star - predictably booed everytime he left his dug-out was not in the mood to receive it.

'I don't feel hard done by,' he said.

'We didn't deserve anything because I don't feel we did enough to get anything out of the game. I don't think their goalkeeper had too many saves to make did he?

'They produced that one bit of quality and they scored.'