Lampard proves the gift that keeps on giving for City

Manchester City 3 Sunderland 2

Frank Lampard started the new year the unwitting pawn in a transatlantic public relations debacle, but, on the field of play at least, the 36-year-old undermined why he is a player worth fighting for.

Lampard decided a thrilling second half with the winning goal, four minutes after being thrown on as a substitute by Manuel Pellegrini, the City manager who cast further doubt and discord over Lampard’s position with his post-match comments.