Granit Xhaka’s flashpoint, Sunderland penalty appeals and Brian Brobbey’s rare feat, moments missed | OneFootball

Sunderland's breathless Premier League return at the Etihad Stadium produced incident beyond the scoreline. According to Opta, Brian Brobbey's hat-trick would later prove a rarity, while a Granit Xhaka flashpoint and a rejected penalty shout punctuated the chaos.

Régis Le Bris took charge for the 100th time, a landmark matched since 2002 only by Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane. Dayann Methalie debuted at left-back for the suspended Reinildo.

City led 3-2 at half-time after Brobbey twice levelled, Enzo Le Fée central to both, but errors hurt Sunderland.

After the restart, Semenyo made it 4-2 after Danso and Mukiele collided. Xhaka then tangled with Elliot Anderson before feeding Angulo to set up Brobbey's hat-trick.

Sunderland fans appealed for handball against Anderson, nothing doing and no apparent VAR delay. Brobbey became only the fourth player to net a Premier League treble against the team starting the day top.

The others were Robbie Fowler against Aston Villa in November 1998, Dirk Kuyt against Manchester United in March 2011 and Romelu Lukaku against United in May 2013, a gap of over 13 years.

Le Bris chased parity, introducing Isidor for Sadiki to join Brobbey. Rúben Dias sliced towards his own net, cleared off the line, then Fofana's shot from the corner was blocked.

Minutes later, Erling Haaland made it 5-3, a VAR offside check confirming the goal. It was his first against Sunderland, meaning he has now scored against all 25 clubs he has faced in the Premier League, giving City breathing space.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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