For the second successive weekend, Federico Macheda ensures Manchester United top the table.

Just as the young Italian striker came off the bench to score a dramatic winner against Aston Villa last week, so he did again at the Stadium of Light as the Reds saw off Sunderland 2-1.

"He has got something special about him,” beamed a relieved Sir Alex Ferguson. "He side-footed it as it came to him. It's that quick-thinking that goalscorers have got. He has just got that instinct.

"He has got good movement, he has got quickness in his movement and it showed that when he came on. He wasn't fazed by anything. Right away, he got involved in the game and he had a good 20 minutes for us."