Soccer: City tops league as Vassell strikes

LONDON - England striker Darius Vassell grabbed his first goal for Manchester City as his new club went to the top of the English premier soccer league with a 2-1 win at Sunderland yesterday.

Australian international Mark Viduka celebrated his return to Middlesbrough's attack with two goals as his side romped to a 3-0 victory at Birmingham City, while Portsmouth and Aston Villa shared a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.

Vassell, signed from Aston Villa for 2 million ($5.23 million) last month, curled the ball past Sunderland goalkeeper Kelvin Davis to give Manchester City a 10th-minute lead.

Trevor Sinclair added a second 25 minutes later with a right-foot shot before Anthony Le Tallec pulled one back for promoted Sunderland in the 41st minute.

Manchester City have seven points from three matches, one point more than Tottenham Hotspur, Charlton Athletic, Manchester United and Chelsea, who all have a maximum of six points from the two matches they have played.

Spurs are at Blackburn today while champions Chelsea are at home to West Bromwich Albion.

Sunderland, yet to register a point from three games, are bottom of the table.They have now lost 18 successive matches in the premier league after 15 consecutive defeats when they were relegated at the end of the 2002-03 season.

Making his first start for Middlesbrough since early April in place of injured new signing Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Viduka opened the scoring in the 14th minute blasting in a cross from James Morrison.

It was Viduka's first goal since last December and the former Celtic and Leeds United striker made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime, turning and smashing a right-foot shot beyond Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor from a tight angle.

Middlesbrough made certain of their first victory of the season through Franck Queudrue in the 71st minute. Coach Steve McClaren's side are seventh with four points from three games.

Birmingham are still waiting for their first win of the season and are third from bottom with one point from a possible nine.

Villa had Peru winger Nolberto Solano sent off after he was adjudged to have elbowed Richard Hughes in the 10th minute at Portsmouth.

The visitors took the lead seconds later when Hughes put through his own net. But Lomana Lua-Lua equalised for Portsmouth in the 42nd minute.

- REUTERS