Pre-Season Friendly: Sunderland 0 Manchester City 1

Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic was carried off on a stretcher in their 1-0 Asia Trophy final win over Sunderland on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Serbian – who made 21 Premier League appearances last term – fell awkwardly on the deplorable Hong Kong Stadium pitch and was forced off with just 16 minutes to play.

City striker Edin Dzeko scored the only goal with a terrific left-foot strike from outside the penalty area in the ninth minute and missed a penalty, but the match was overshadowed by Nastasic’s injury.

Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen injured his ankle on the same pitch on Wednesday after slipping and Nastasic’s injury, the severity of which is unknown, is sure to generate more discussion about the surface.

New City striker Alvaro Negredo made his first appearance for the club alongside Dzeko up front, while Joe Hart was rested, giving goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon a rare chance to play.

Jesus Navas was also on the bench for City, while Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio stuck with the same side that beat Tottenham 3-1 on Wednesday.

Sunderland started brightly, pressing their opponents at every opportunity, and Wes Brown had an early chance, only to head wide.

Dzeko quickly fired City in front though, hitting a 20-yard effort that swerved into the corner and gave Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone no chance.

Negredo nearly doubled their lead, running onto a David Silva long ball, but after an excellent first touch, he shot well over.

As heavy rain lashed down in Hong Kong, Negredo went close again, while new Sunderland signing Emanuele Giaccherini tested Pantilimon at the other end.

On the stroke of half-time, Sunderland’s Craig Gardner headed Silva’s free-kick into his own post, before both sides made changes at the break, one of which saw the introduction of Navas.

City won a penalty in the 66th minute, after El-Hadji Ba handled Fernandinho’s flick, but Dzeko hit his attempt horribly over, while Navas had an effort blocked on the line by Gardner shortly after.

Sunderland’s Sebastian Larsson tested Pantilimon with a late free-kick but City held on for a deserved victory.