Manchester City moved into the first international break three points clear at the top of the Premier League after defeating Sunderland 5-3 in an entertaining clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The victory maintained City’s 100% league record and extended their winning run to seven matches in all competitions.
Semenyo Leads City’s Goal Rush
Antoine Semenyo played a key role in City’s victory, scoring twice in a thrilling contest.
City opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Enzo Fernandez curled a free-kick past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. It was Fernandez’s first goal since his record-equalling £125 million move from Chelsea.
Sunderland responded quickly, with Brian Brobbey finishing from an Enzo Le Fee pass to make it 1-1.
City regained the lead in the 29th minute through Rayan Cherki, who reacted quickly inside the box to poke the ball home.
Brobbey Completes Hat-Trick
Brobbey continued to cause problems for the City defence and levelled again before half-time, converting into an empty net following an assist from Thomas Meunier.
City eventually regained the advantage before the interval when Semenyo finished emphatically.
Semenyo then struck again in the 57th minute, drilling the ball into the net after Sunderland failed to clear their lines.
Brobbey completed his hat-trick later in the match, applying the finishing touch to a shot from Nilson Angulo.
The hat-trick made Brobbey the first Sunderland player to score a Premier League hat-trick since Jermaine Defoe in 2016. He also became the first player since Blackburn Rovers’ Roque Santa Cruz 19 years ago to score a Premier League hat-trick while ending up on the losing side.
Haaland Seals City’s Victory
Sunderland continued to push for another equaliser, but City’s defence managed to survive several dangerous moments.
Erling Haaland eventually put the result beyond doubt with a late goal.
The strike also meant Haaland has now scored against all 25 Premier League clubs he has faced since arriving in England.
City manager Enzo Maresca admitted he would have preferred a less dramatic contest.
“Too many goals, I prefer 1-0 much better,” Maresca said with a smile.
Liverpool Beat Bournemouth
Elsewhere, Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Alexander Isak scored the decisive goal in the 57th minute, converting after Cody Gakpo’s cross fell perfectly for him.
The goal was Isak’s fourth Premier League goal of the season, already surpassing his league tally from his first season after moving from Newcastle United.
The win lifted Liverpool to sixth place, just one point behind third-placed Brighton.
Leeds United missed the opportunity to move into third place after being held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at home.
Palace appeared to have taken the lead in the second half when Tyrick Mitchell found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside during the build-up.
The draw left Leeds unable to capitalise on the opportunity to climb higher in the Premier League standings.