Sergio Aguero scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
A day after the club announced Pep Guardiola would replace Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season, the Argentina international struck in the first half, slamming into the top corner from a Jesus Navas cross.
Second-bottom Sunderland responded positively and came close to an equaliser before the interval, but Joe Hart marked his 253rd Premier League appearance for City - a club record alongside Richard Dunne - by denying Jermain Defoe, while Billy Jones hit the post on the rebound.
The action dried up after the interval as the match became increasingly physical, until a frantic finish where City held firm amid a Sunderland onslaught.
Pellegrini's side remain three points adrift of leaders Leicester City - 2-0 winners against Liverpool - who they face in a huge clash at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Lamine Kone replaced Wes Brown in the centre of defence and his Sunderland debut almost got off to a terrible start in the fourth minute when he diverted Gael Clichy's cross towards his own goal, but Mannone collected at the near post.
City continued to apply early pressure with slick passing, Aguero shifting away from John O'Shea and sending a swerving 25-yard drive wide.
Aguero made no mistake with his next opportunity when he stabbed Navas' deflected cross beyond Mannone, though he was caught on the calf by Jones in the process.
The goalscorer shook off his knock and returned to the forefront of City's attack but, despite Yaya Toure dictating play from midfield, Sunderland became more adventurous.
Kone narrowly missed out marking his first appearance with a goal when he steered a free header from Jeremain Lens' free-kick wide and Hart was in superb form when called upon on the stroke of half-time.
The City goalkeeper got a hand to Jermain Defoe's effort after the striker turned Nicolas Otamendi in the box, before quickly recovering to apply pressure on Jones, whose follow-up from an acute angle cannoned back off the upright.
Pellegrini replaced Iheanacho with Fernando for the second half in a bid to sure up his midfield, while Allardyce introduced Wahbi Khazri for his Premier League bow.
Tempers threatened to boil over in the 66th minute when Defoe caught Otamendi with a stray arm, an offence that went unnoticed by referee Stuart Atwell.
Hart produced another great save to deny Jones from 20 yards, while Dame N'Doye's stoppage-time header was cleared off the line by Otamendi after the City goalkeeper failed to claim Khazri's corner.
Sunderland's bid for an equaliser was ultimately fruitless, leaving them four points adrift of safety.
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