Manchester City survived Brian Brobbey’s superb hat-trick to beat Sunderland 5-3 at the Etihad Stadium, preserving their perfect Premier League record and moving three points clear at the top before the international break. City were repeatedly dragged back by the visitors but ultimately had too much attacking quality in a breathless contest.

Enzo Fernández started the scoring in the ninth minute, curling a free-kick inside the near post for his first goal for City. Brobbey equalised three minutes later, but City regained the lead through Rayan Cherki in the 29th minute. Brobbey then made it 2-2 on 33 minutes, before Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time to send the hosts in 3-2 ahead.

Semenyo added City’s fourth in the 57th minute, only for Brobbey to complete his hat-trick two minutes later after Nilson Angulo headed Granit Xhaka’s pass across goal. Sunderland were again within one goal and continued to expose vulnerability in City’s defending, particularly through Brobbey’s strength and movement against Rúben Dias.

Erling Haaland settled the game in the 81st minute, turning in Joško Gvardiol’s low cross from close range. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but was awarded following a VAR check. Haaland has now scored against each of the 25 Premier League opponents he has faced.

City’s scorers were Fernández, Cherki, Semenyo twice and Haaland; Brobbey scored all three of Sunderland’s goals. The match was Manchester City’s seventh consecutive victory in all competitions to start the season, though the performance left manager Enzo Maresca with clear defensive problems to address after his side conceded three times at home.