Pep Guardiola kicked off his reign as Manchester City boss with a well deserved win against Sunderland. The home side dominated the game with 77% possession, taking the lead with an Aguero penalty early on. However, Defoe then produced a calm finish to level the score before an own Paddy McNair goal restored Pep's lead and eventual victory.
Shock news came before kick-off with Pep Guardiola dropping keeper Joe Hart after an awful Euro's with England, in favour of Willy Caballero and the omission of Yaya Toure. The new Manchester City manager also handed debuts to both John Stones and Nolito.
It's a winning start for Pep Guardiola... #PLkickoff #MCISUN pic.twitter.com/v1hNH3Cp27
The Citizens kicked off their Premier League campaign with a pretty sloppy start conceding a free-kick within the first two minutes only for Caballero to make a comfortable save.
Minutes later Sterling rushed down the left hand channel, into the penalty area, using his lightning pace to his advantage, only to then cut back on the inside, as the onrushing van Aanholt attempted to recover and in the process bring down the England man.
The deadly Sergio Aguero then ever so coolly slotted home to his left-hand side leaving no chance for Sunderland's Vito Mannone, kicking off Guardiola's welcome party four minutes in.
Sergio Aguero Penalty Goal - Manchester City (mancity) Vs Sunderland (1-0): https://t.co/L7RkHLZktt via @YouTube
City's chances continued to flow as Sunderland just sat back and tried to adsorb their attacking prowess, as City dominated play and possession.
Plenty of half-chances came City's way, winning a free-kick midway through the first on the flank of the penalty area, David Silva whipped the ball into box, but, as with most of their chances, it caused the Blackcats' keeper no trouble as he calmly came out to punch the ball away.
The half then died down until the last five minutes, as Sunderland won a corner and after a minor scramble Kone headed the ball over to Defoe who latched onto it forcing a good save from Caballero.
Sunderland's Gooch then shortly after saw the first yellow card of the match for what was closer to a rugby tackle than that of a football one on, before one solitary minute was added.
Half-time came with Sunderland playing performing well, mitigating City's menacing attack, and only limiting them to half-chances, which were mostly lashed over or wide, minus the early penalty.
The second-half was up and running with no initial changes from either side at the break. It was more of the same again for the start of the second half with City cruising the game holding the ball well, but Sunderland limiting them to only half-chances.
Manchester City became wasteful in possession failing to capitalise on their domination in possession taking until the 60th for their first real chance of the second half.
With Sterling now on the left he tested out Sunderland's right back taking him on and winning playing a decent ball into the box, with the ball eventually dropping to Aguero who fired just wide.
Just after the hour mark Moyes introduced Khazri and Januzaj to the playing field in an attempt to light up his attack, while Guardiola relieved Silva of his duties for City.
Sunderland's debuting right-back Love then gifted De Bruyne a free-kick from range at an awkward angle, the Belgium hit it well to the left forcing a great save from Mannone.
The Blackcats then hit Pep's side on the attack, with Defoe lurking centre of the goal on the edge of the box waiting on the Sagna's shoulder as he pointed for the ball, which he got, taking a great first and then second touch before slotting under Caballero to level things up with 19 minutes to play.
71' GOAL!!! Defoe makes it 1-1 #hawaythelads
With Guardiola desperate not to be embarrassed in his first game as City boss he altered his side to play a back three with ten minutes left as Iheanacho replaced Clichy, only for Sunderland to counter that by bringing on Paddy McNair for his debut in Defoe's place.
As the first five minutes came it became nervy for the away side with four central defenders on the pitch, but that didn't stop Sterling playing in a great ball quickly lashed away by Kaboul.
Manchester City just kept coming and with four minutes left they had their lead back after substitute Navas played in a low ball into the box - passing the City attackers - but finding its way into the back of the net, bouncing off the on-rushing Paddy McNair.
Sunderland once again managed to fight off another attack in the last minute with Aguero dashing down the right-hand sight, playing a ball along the floor to Iheanacho who couldn't find the target as he shot on the turn.
The final whistle blew with City taking the three points, albeit slightly fortunately. Sunderland worked extremely hard all match restricting them to limited chances, but fell short to an 87th own goal in what was an edgy match that will be hard one to take for David Moyes.
Manchester City: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy (Iheanacho), Fernandinho, Silva (Delph), Nolito (Jesus Navas), De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero
Sunderland: Mannone, Love, Kaboul, Kone, van Aanholt, Rodwell, Gooch (Khazri), Watmore (Januzaj), Borini, Defoe (McNair)