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Cape Town - Cape Town City climbed back to the top of the Absa Premiership standings following a 1-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns at Athlone Stadium on Friday evening.
Lebogang Manyama proved to be the difference between the two sides in what was a pulsating fixture in the Mother City. Victory secured a league double for Eric Tinkler's men over the current African and South African champions .
The Citizens expressed their intent as early as the first minute with Lehlohonolo Majoro squandering a gilt-edged chance.
Having beaten Wayne Sandilands to the ball, the former Orlando Pirates forward saw his header attempt fly wide of goal.
City were applying all the early pressure with Robyn Johannes squandering another chance for the hosts on 12 minutes. Manyama picked out the burly defender from a corner-kick, but despite having lost his marker, he could only manage to direct his attempt wide of goal.
Roland Putsche then saw his powerful effort fly straight at Sandilands six minutes later before the Brazilians finally got into the act.
Tebogo Langerman picked out Percy Tau with the pin-point cross, but the latter saw his header attempt rattle the side-netting on 24 minutes.
Both teams continued to push forward in attack in what was an open encounter. City though had the final say of the first half; Thamsanqa Mkhize picking out Majoro who was unable to convert with the goal at his mercy on the cusp of half-time.
The non-stop action continued following the break and after Sibusiso Vilakazi failed to convert from close range, following a long-busting run down the left flank by Tebogo Langerman - City hit the front.
Manyama pounced to score his 11th goal of the season: subsequently joining Tendai Ndoro atop the goal-scoring charts. The City captain delivered a cool finish past Sandilands after being put through on goal by Majoro.
The Brazilians almost hit back straight away. Walters was at fault as he dropped a cross in the area, but lucky for the goal-minder Johannes came to the rescue to clear Anthony Laffor's attempt from crossing the line.
City continued to look very dangerous on the counter-attack as Sundowns surged forward in search of the equaliser.
Leonardo Castro's header flashed inches wide before Percy Tau saw his cross-cum-shot bounce onto the roof of the net from an acute angle.
City, though, had their chances to double their advantage, but in the end it mattered little as the home side go marching on following another memorable win.
