Manchester City made life hard for themselves as Sunderland pushed them all the way in a thrilling 5-3 clash
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Ruben Dias of Manchester City shoots during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Ruben Dias of Manchester City shoots during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Manchester City had problems with Sunderland all afternoon
The biggest winners from Manchester City's win over Sunderland were the neutrals, who were treated to an eight-goal thriller at a time when the other games on at that time could only muster one between them. This contest fizzed back and forth like a basketball match, with Sunderland scoring on three separate occasions within minutes of conceding before eventually running out of time to respond again with a final score of 5-3.
City's win also helps give everyone a fresh talking point for the three weeks before the Premier League returns. Arsenal were the team expected to stroll their way to another title yet their defeat on Saturday at Brighton allowed Enzo Maresca's side to steal the initiative and go three points clear at the top of the table after five games.
It has been a dream start for Maresca to have a perfect record after seven games, but nobody inside the Etihad on Sunday believed they were seeing potential title winners in action. City were sloppy from the start and were far too loose all game, conceding more in 90 minutes than they had across the previous four league games.