Manchester City player ratings v Sunderland as Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland shine in 5-3 thriller | OneFootball

Manchester City preserved their perfect start with a 5-3 win over Sunderland at the Etihad in a breathless contest. Brian Brobbey hit a hat-trick for the visitors, who pushed Enzo Maresca’s side throughout.

Per Goal.com, defensive fragility and ruthless finishing framed an absorbing game, with City’s attacking depth to the fore. City recorded 57% possession, 16 shots and 2.76 expected goals.

Enzo Fernandez was booked in the ninth minute. Marc Guehi then teed up Antoine Semenyo in the 43rd minute, before the defender was withdrawn soon after. City’s back line remained vulnerable to Brobbey’s movement in transition.

Semenyo struck again in the 57th minute to keep City ahead during the most volatile spells. Josko Gvardiol provided the delivery for Erling Haaland to add the fifth in the 81st minute, which finally killed Sunderland’s resistance.

Player ratings reflected the chaos. G. Donnarumma endured a taxing outing at 5/10, while R. Dias also struggled at times. Gvardiol impressed and created Haaland’s goal. In midfield, I. Ndiaye was quiet, E. Anderson industrious, and Fernandez’s early caution told. R. Cherki was a creative menace with an assist. A. Semenyo, the standout at 9/10, found space cleverly and finished clinically. J. Doku injected late pace after replacing Ndiaye in the 75th minute, and N. O’Reilly came on for Cherki. Maresca left with five goals and three points, though the defensive transition remains a concern.

Source: Goal.com

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