The Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has described this morning's 5-nil thumping of Sunderland as his side's most important win of the Premier League football season so far.
The home victory lifts City above defending champions Chelsea into third place, and strengthens their grip on a Champions League spot.
Mancini says cementing City's place in the Champions League is his number one priority in 2011 and denied suggestions his side are under pressure.
Second-placed Arsenal were held to a nil-all draw by Blackburn on Sunday leaving Manchester United seven points clear in the race for the premiership.
