Valeri Bojinov came through his first Premier League start for Manchester City since August 2007 unscathed in the 1-0 win over Sunderland. City boss Mark Hughes said: "I was pleased for him that he was able to start a game in the Premier League and that he came through more than an hour.

"It was important for him. I felt it was good for him to get the start today from both a footballing and mental point of view."