Manchester City capitalised on Arsenal’s shock 3-0
defeat to Brighton by claiming victory over Sunderland, although they were
forced to work hard for the three points at the Etihad Stadium.
City took the lead on three occasions before finally
securing the win, with Sunderland repeatedly fighting back and making the
contest difficult for the hosts.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring with his first goal
since his £125 million ($167 million) move from Chelsea, with the Argentine
midfielder’s free-kick catching Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs out at his
near post.
Sunderland, however, showed little fatigue despite
playing in Europe during the week, where they recorded their first European
victory in 53 years against AZ Alkmaar.
The visitors soon responded through Brian Brobbey, who
converted Enzo Le Fee’s pass to level the contest.
Manchester City regained the advantage when Rayan
Cherki produced a quick-footed move before finishing neatly, but Sunderland
again responded just four minutes later, with Brobbey completing a well-worked
team move.
City went into the interval ahead once again after
Antoine Semenyo smashed home to restore the hosts’ lead.
Semenyo appeared to have put the result beyond
Sunderland’s reach shortly before the hour mark when he added another
impressive left-footed finish.
But Brobbey completed his hat-trick after Nilson
Angulo raced onto a ball over the top and beat City goalkeeper Gianluigi
Donnarumma before setting up the Dutch forward.
City endured some nervy moments in the closing stages,
with Donnarumma making errors that almost allowed Sunderland to find another
equaliser. Ruben Dias was also forced to clear an effort off the line.
Erling Haaland eventually ended Sunderland’s hopes of
a comeback by finding the net to secure the three points for City.
The goal also extended Haaland’s record of scoring
against every Premier League side he has faced.
The victory maintained Manchester City’s perfect start
under manager Enzo Maresca and moved them closer to the top of the Premier
League following Arsenal’s defeat at Brighton.
Liverpool Beat Bournemouth
Liverpool also claimed an important victory, defeating
Bournemouth away from home to move up to sixth in the Premier League table.
The match marked a return to Bournemouth for Liverpool
manager Iraola, who previously guided the Cherries to European football for the
first time in the club’s history.
Liverpool’s performance was far from convincing, but
they secured all three points when Cody Gakpo’s cross fell to Alexander Isak,
who fired home his fourth goal of the season.
The victory moved Liverpool within one point of
third-placed Brighton ahead of the international break.
Elsewhere, Leeds missed the opportunity to move into
third place after being held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace at home.
Palace thought they had taken the lead in the second
half through Tyrick Mitchell, but the goal was ruled out for an offside
infringement during the build-up.
Manchester United were also looking to end a difficult
run when they travelled to face bottom-placed Fulham.
United entered the fixture with only four points from
their opening four league matches and had suffered a League Cup setback against
Brighton in midweek after surrendering a two-goal lead at home.
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