Santa Cruz played a neat one-two with Bellamy, who was then felled by Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy for a penalty.

BBC: Man City 4-3 Sunderland

The open, end-to-end nature of the game continued after half-time and Lee Cattermole was soon booked for a reckless lunge on Nyron Nosworthy.

BBC: Wigan 1-1 Sunderland

Mensah will now compete for a place in the Black Cats' rearguard with Anton Ferdinand, Danny Collins, Nyron Nosworthy and Paulo Da Silva.

BBC: Sunderland snap up Lyon's Mensah