Manchester City have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a thrilling 5-3 win over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium. The home team's victory was marked by a hat-trick from Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, but City's Enzo Fernandez scored his first goal since joining from Chelsea for £125 million. Fernandez's free-kick caught out Robin Roefs at his near post to give City the lead.
Sunderland showed no signs of tiredness despite their European match against AZ Alkmaar in midweek, with Brobbey slotting home Enzo Le Fee's pass for the first of his treble. However, City restored their advantage through Rayan Cherki's quick feet and slick finish. Brobbey replied within four minutes at the end of a fine Sunderland move, but Antoine Semenyo smashed City back in front before half-time.
Semenyo thought he had settled the game with another accurate left-footed finish just before the hour mark, but Brobbey completed his hat-trick after Nilson Angulo beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to a ball over the top. A couple of nervy moments from Donnarumma nearly led to a Sunderland equaliser, but Ruben Dias was forced to clear off his own line.
Erling Haaland finally got involved in the goalfest to seal the three points for City, ensuring he has scored against every side he has faced in the Premier League. The win extends Enzo Maresca's perfect start as City boss, succeeding Pep Guardiola.
In another match, Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Andoni Iraola's return to the south coast. Iraola was given a warm reception at Bournemouth after leading the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club's history. However, Liverpool's performance was far from convincing, with the only goal coming when Cody Gakpo's cross sat up for Alexander Isak to fire in his fourth of the season.
The win moves Liverpool up to sixth and within a point of third-placed Brighton. Leeds missed the chance to go third themselves after being held 0-0 at home by Crystal Palace. Tyrick Mitchell thought he had given Palace the lead in the second half, but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Manchester United aim to give some respite to under-pressure manager Michael Carrick later when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Fulham. United have taken just four points from their opening four games and were dumped out of the League Cup by Brighton in midweek after surrendering a 2-0 lead at home for the first time in 50 years.
Key points
- Manchester City defeated Sunderland 5-3 despite Brian Brobbey's hat-trick.
- Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Andoni Iraola's return to the south coast.
- The win extends Enzo Maresca's perfect start as City boss, succeeding Pep Guardiola.
