Match Report & Player Ratings: Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City closed the gap in second place in the Premier League with a composed and convincing 3–0 win over a disciplined Sunderland side at the Etihad Stadium.

Goals from Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden reflected the control City eventually imposed after a tight opening half hour. Rayan Cherki pulled the strings throughout, delivering yet another standout performance as Pep Guardiola’s team sharpened their approach ahead of their looming Champions League trip to Real Madrid.

From the opening whistle, City asserted themselves with the ball, setting up camp in Sunderland’s half while working patiently through build-up patterns. Guardiola pushed both centre-backs high, using Nico as the auxiliary pivot to drop between and circulate possession.

Sunderland responded by compressing the box, protecting the central lane and denying Erling Haaland any meaningful involvement early on.

Rayan Cherki was involved in almost every early surge drifting from the right, gliding past Enzo Le Fee to square an inviting pass across the six-yard area, but no Manchester City forward arrived in time.

Moments later his first-time cross was cut out sharply by Omar Alderete at the near post. Cherki’s influence continued when he split Sunderland’s central pairing with a sharp through ball that placed Bernardo Silva in space, only for the Portuguese midfielder’s curling effort to bend inches wide of Robin Roefs’ right-hand post.

Sunderland were largely reactive but carried moments of threat. Le Fee took advantage of a loose ball outside the area and drilled a low drive that bounced just wide into the side netting. It was a reminder that Guardiola’s back line, stretched high in possession, had little room for lapses in concentration.

Manchester City’s best moment of the half up to that point came when Jeremy Doku cut inside from the left and found Foden between the lines, who clipped a clever lifted ball over Roefs, but Erling Haaland – arriving on the stretch – could not redirect it into the empty net.

With Cherki, Silva, Matheus Nunes and even Doku drifting to the right flank, the overload was evident, yet Alderete and Trai Hume held their shape, denying any central entry into the penalty area. Haaland, isolated and crowded out, struggled to influence the game.

City held more than 65% possession through the opening half hour but had not yet troubled Roeffs with any significant test. Dias attempted a long diagonal towards Haaland, but the Sunderland goalkeeper claimed it comfortably, underlining the hosts’ frustration.

Then came the shift. In the space of five minutes, Manchester City broke the match open through their unlikely match-winners: the centre backs. First, Cherki fed Dias in a pocket of space some 30 yards from goal. Dias advanced, steadied himself and unleashed a stunning strike that flew into the top corner, past the reach of a diving Roeffs.

There were shades of Vincent Kompany’s famous Leicester strike in 2019, not only in technique but timing, as City finally broke through Sunderland’s defences and the stadium roared in recognition of the moment. The goal also marked Cherki’s fourth league assist of the season, a testament to his growing playmaking authority.

City capitalised almost instantly. Foden delivered an in-swinging corner with precision, and Gvardiol rose above the crowd to plant a powerful header into the net. That made it nine goals City have scored in the final quarter of the first half this season – more than any other Premier League team.

The rhythm had changed completely; the patience of the opening half hour suddenly gave way to sharp, decisive execution. A pair of defenders had transformed the match, and City entered the interval with a commanding 2–0 lead.

The second half began with City in comfortable control and Sunderland attempting to regain some composure. Instead, Guardiola’s side accelerated through the gears. One sweeping move, starting with Gianluigi Donnarumma and moving through Gvardiol, Haaland and Foden before reaching Doku, showed the effortless fluency City can produce when the rhythm is right.

Doku cut inside, struck firmly and watched his effort cannon off the post. Foden met the rebound, only for Ballard to block bravely and deny a certain goal. Sunderland responded with their best spell of the match.

Wilson Isidor intercepted a loose pass from Ruben Dias and raced through, drawing Donnarumma off his line, but the Italian goalkeeper stood tall and smothered the attempt with authority. Moments later Granit Xhaka fired from range, his shot beating Donnarumma but coming off the post.

City regained control when Cherki beat Ballard, scooped a floated cross over the defence and found Haaland unmarked. The Norwegian struck towards goal but Lutsharel Geertruida tracked back to head clear on the line. It was a rare afternoon when City’s centre backs and wide creators overshadowed their prolific No. 9.

Cherki, though, delivered the moment that summed up his performance. With space on the right, he shaped his run, slowed his stride and then produced an outrageous rabona cross to the edge of the box. Foden arrived with perfect timing and guided a delicate header off the underside of the bar and in. It was the goal that sealed the victory and showcased the flair, quick thinking and confidence Guardiola has been nurturing in the young Frenchman.

Cherki continued to dazzle, beating Hume before slipping a teasing cross to Reijnders at the far post, who struck a difficult half volley just wide. Moments later Cherki was replaced to warm applause, his work done after shaping the match at every turn. Bernardo Silva also departed, giving way to Rico Lewis for fresh legs.

City closed the match in total control. Luke O’Nien was shown a red card after VAR intervention for a challenge on Mattheus Nunes. The clean sheet remained intact, the energy was managed sensibly, and the points lifted them above Aston Villa into second place.

With Arsenal just two points ahead, and Real Madrid waiting at the Bernabeu, the performance arrived at the perfect time: structured, efficient and rich in individual quality. Here are our player ratings from a comfortable afternoon’s work at the Etihad Stadium!

Player Ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6.5

Alert when needed. Saved well from Wilson Isidor and read danger cleanly. Beaten only by the post once.

Matheus Nunes – 7

Supported the right-sided overload effectively. Clean on the ball and disciplined defensively.

Ruben Dias – 7.5

Scored a sensational opener and defended with authority aside from one loose pass. A commanding display.

Josko Gvardiol – 7.5

Strong aerially, dominant in duels and added Manchester City’s second with a textbook header. Composed throughout.

Nico O’Reilly – 7.5

Another hugely confident performance from the midfielder operating at left-back. Won almost all of his duels, and offered threat in an attacking sense whilst comfortability going the other way.

Nico Gonzalez – 6.5

Efficient role as the dropped pivot, giving Manchester City stable distribution in the first phase.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Neat in possession and supported Rayan Cherki well but lacked final-third incision.

Rayan Cherki – 9 (Player of the Match)

Outstanding. Four key chances created, an assist, a rabona cross for the ages and constant invention. Dictated City’s tempo.

Phil Foden – 8.5

Sharp, intelligent and clinical. Delivered the corner for Josko Gvardiol and scored a superb header from Rayan Cherki’s artistry.

Erling Haaland – 6

Worked hard but never found rhythm. Limited touches and denied well by Lutsharel Geertruida.

Jeremy Doku – 8

Direct, lively and persistent. Hit the post, stretched Sunderland’s structure and linked well with Phil Foden.

Substitutes

Tijjani Reijnders – 6

Linked play cleanly and nearly scored with a difficult half volley.

Omar Marmoush – 6.5

Energetic cameo, pressing with intent and offering good movement.

Nathan Ake – 6

Steady presence after coming on. Helped Manchester City manage the final phase.

Savinho – No time to mark

Limited involvement after entering.

Rico Lewis – No time to mark

Closed spaces without major influence.