City beat Sunderland in eight-goal thriller to go top | OneFootball

Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after edging Sunderland 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller at the Etihad Stadium.

City took the lead after just nine minutes when Enzo Fernandez curled a free-kick in at the near post for his first goal since his move from Chelsea.

Sunderland responded quickly, though, with Enzo Le Fée finding Brian Brobbey, who calmly slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Rayan Cherki restored City's advantage midway through the first half after Sunderland were caught trying to play out from the back, but the visitors hit back again. Le Fée was involved once more, finding Thomas Meunier, who squared for Brobbey to tap into an empty net.

City eventually regained control and Antoine Semenyo put them ahead for a third time just before half-time. The forward then struck again after the break, drilling a low shot into the far corner.

Brobbey completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, setting up a nervy final half-hour for the hosts. Sunderland pushed for an equaliser and came close, but City survived the pressure.

Erling Haaland finally settled the contest nine minutes from time, sliding in at the back post to convert Josko Gvardiol's cross.

The result keeps City's 100% record intact and sends them into the international break top of the table.

Incidents: The story of the match

Manchester City Official Line-ups:

Gigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Marc Guéhi, Rayan Cherki, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, Antoine Semenyo, Iliman Ndiaye, Erling Haaland

Sunderland Official Line-ups:

Robin Roefs, Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele, Kevin Danso, Daniel Ballard, Dayann Methalie, Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey, Nilson Angulo

1':

The match begins

Manchester City 1, Sunderland 0. Enzo Fernández (Manchester City) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top right corner.

9':

GOAL Manchester City: Enzo Fernández (Manchester City) scores!

Enzo Fernández scores goal number 1 in the competition (4 matches)

Manchester City 1, Sunderland 1. Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Enzo Le Fée with a through ball.

12':

GOAL Sunderland: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) scores!

Brian Brobbey scores goal number 1 in the competition (5 matches)

Manchester City 2, Sunderland 1. Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Antoine Semenyo.

29':

GOAL Manchester City: Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) scores!

Rayan Cherki scores goal number 3 in the competition (5 matches)

Manchester City 2, Sunderland 2. Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Thomas Meunier.Goal confirmed following VAR Review.

33':

GOAL Sunderland: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) scores!

Brian Brobbey scores goal number 2 in the competition (5 matches)

Manchester City 3, Sunderland 2. Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Marc Guéhi following a corner.

43':

GOAL Manchester City: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) scores!

Antoine Semenyo scores goal number 1 in the competition (5 matches)

Manchester City 4, Sunderland 2. Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner.

57':

GOAL Manchester City: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) scores!

Antoine Semenyo scores goal number 2 in the competition (5 matches)

Manchester City 4, Sunderland 3. Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nilson Angulo.

59':

GOAL Sunderland: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) scores!

Brian Brobbey scores goal number 3 in the competition (5 matches)

Manchester City 5, Sunderland 3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Josko Gvardiol.Goal awarded following VAR Review.

81':

GOAL Manchester City: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) scores!

Erling Haaland scores goal number 5 in the competition (5 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match