Sam Allardyce strikes a sensible balance in his post-match e-mail, accepting the disappointment of another defeat but praising his team, especially the new boys, for a heartily encouraging performance. With all the talent at their disposal, Manchester City were reduced to playacting and blatant timewasting to preserve their lead. Anyone betting on a City victory at cash out betting sites would have been sorely tempted to cash in their winnings rather than count on the cruelly early lead surviving a second half in which Sunderland were the only side looking capable of scoring in the second half …