Manchester City survived a thrilling challenge from Sunderland to secure a dramatic 5-3 victory at the Etihad Stadium, maintaining their perfect start to the Premier League season and moving three points clear at the top of the table.
City took the lead in the ninth minute through Enzo Fernández, but Sunderland responded almost immediately. Brian Brobbey equalised in the 12th minute before Rayan Cherki restored City’s advantage in the 29th minute.
Brobbey struck again just four minutes later to make it 2-2, underlining Sunderland’s determination to stay in the contest. City eventually regained the lead before half-time when Antoine Semenyo scored in the 43rd minute.
Semenyo added his second goal early in the second half to put City 4-2 ahead. Sunderland refused to surrender, however, and Brobbey completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute to make it 4-3 and set up a tense final half-hour.
The visitors continued to threaten an equaliser, but City held their nerve. Erling Haaland finally settled the contest in the 81st minute, scoring City’s fifth goal and securing all three points.
Brobbey’s hat-trick was an outstanding individual effort, but Sunderland ultimately left Manchester empty-handed. City, meanwhile, demonstrated their attacking quality and resilience in a match in which they were repeatedly tested.
The victory was City’s fifth consecutive Premier League win, giving them a maximum 15 points from five matches. Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton opened the door for City to establish a three-point advantage at the summit.
