An eventful match was to be expected. Not this. At the Etihad, Manchester City and Sunderland delivered a true offensive festival: 8 goals, repeated equalisers and a City defence constantly on the brink of collapse. At the end of the chaos, Enzo Maresca's men won 5-3 to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
An electric start to the match
It all began in the 9th minute. From a wide free-kick, Enzo Fernández caught Roefs out at the near post. Sunderland responded immediately: Enzo Le Fée found Brian Brobbey, who beat Donnarumma with a lob. 1-1.
City went back on the attack. Cherki capitalised on a high press and a recovered ball to put his side back in front (29th minute). But Brobbey was there again. A pass from Meunier led to the Dutchman's second goal (33rd minute). Then Semenyo struck just before half-time: 3-2.
City's defensive frailties
City's problem was already visible, however: their press created chances but also left huge spaces behind it. Sunderland played quickly towards Brobbey, who was able to hold off Dias and immediately attack the space in behind.
Semenyo took advantage again in the 57th minute to score the fourth goal. Two minutes later, Brobbey completed his hat-trick and brought Sunderland back to 4-3. The scenario became wild.
City regain control
Maresca finally got what he was looking for: control. City slowed the game down further, while Haaland stayed alert. In the 81st minute, the Norwegian pounced on a cross from Gvardiol and killed off the suspense after a VAR check.
But even at 5-3, Sunderland kept threatening: Ballard hit the post late in the match.
Semenyo was the trigger, Brobbey the nightmare and Enzo Fernández the metronome. City won, remaining perfect after five matchdays, but left a paradoxical impression: an attack capable of turning any game around, and a defence that, against a more clinical opponent, could prove far more costly.
Maresca admitted it after the match: he would have preferred to win 1-0.
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