Shaun's back with a bang - Torres limps off

Shaun Wright-Phillips made a sensational return to Manchester City, scoring twice in the 3-0 win at Sunderland. And afterwards he declared: "I couldn't have asked for a better way to start my second spell with City."

Stephen Ireland was also on target for Mark Hughes' men, and Wright-Phillips added: "I'm delighted to be back and obviously pleased to score two goals, but the most important thing was the performance of the team, and picking up three points. If we keep playing like that we can achieve anything we want tlo achieve."

City boss Hughes added: "I'm delighted with the performance, especially after our exertions in Europe in midweek. We were excellent from start to finish and got the goals when we needed them.

"I'm delighted for Shaun. It's great day for him and I'm sure he'll remember that performance for a long time. This is his club. He's written his own story today and will rightly grab all the headlines."

Sunderland manager Roy Keane said: "To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement and we have no complaints about the result. City were stronger and quicker and looked dangerous on the break and there were not a lot of positives out there.

"We had an off day and if that happens in the Premier League you get punished. It's a hard one to take and we'll have to learn the lessons from that and react in a positive way."

Gareth Barry put in a solid shift as Aston Villa played out a goalless draw with Liverpool, the club the England midfielder seemed certain to join in the summer.

The best chance of the game fell to Villa striker John Carew who was denied by the legs of Jose Reina, whilst Robbie Keane scuffed a decent chance at the other end for Liverpool.

Substitute James Milner, having completed his move from Newcastle, had a late chance to wrap up all three points on his return to the club, but Reina saved the day for Liverpool, who had a scare when Fernando Torres pulled up with a hamstring injury and hobbled off. He'll have a scan today.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "It was a tough game and I thought they came here and played a physical game. I think in the end that was probably the right result. We have a habit of scoring goals so I think us managing to keep a clean sheet is an absolute positive for us."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez added: "In the first half both teams had more or less same opportunities and in the second half I thought we started well.

"In the last 15 minutes they were pushing quite a lot. It was a game that we could have won and so could they. It is not that we should have finished quicker. I think you have to give credit to the defenders."