Manchester City went three points clear at the top of the Premier League table after defeating Sunderland 5-3 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in a high-scoring thriller that saw Brian Brobbey net a hat-trick for the visitors. Enzo Maresca’s side continued their perfect start to the season, succeeding Pep Guardiola, as Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland found the net to secure the vital three points. Haaland’s involvement in the goalfest ensured he has now scored against every single side he has faced in the Premier League, underlining his status as one of the most lethal finishers in the game’s history. The match was a captivating display of attacking football, with City’s offensive firepower ultimately overcoming Sunderland’s resilient fightback.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, Maresca revealed he actually preferred a more conservative result, admitting he anticipated a tough battle against a determined Sunderland side. “To be honest, I prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3 but I expected a very difficult game,” the City manager stated. The victory marks a monumental early task successfully handled by Maresca as he steps into the colossal shoes of Pep Guardiola, establishing a strong foundation for his tenure at the helm of the Premier League champions.
In a separate Sunday fixture, Manchester United were minutes away from suffering a third defeat in a week, but Matheus Cunha’s deflected effort in the 89th minute salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw at Fulham. The visitors fell behind just past the hour mark when an own goal by Lisandro Martinez punished a woeful start to the second period, giving Fulham the lead under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Fulham seemed set to record their first league win under Arbeloa and their first home victory against United since 2009, but Cunha’s speculative shot flicked off substitute Patrick Dorgu to wrong-foot Bernd Leno and rescue a crucial point for the Red Devils.
The draw leaves United in 12th place with five points, while Fulham moves off the foot of the table, leaving Tottenham Hotspur bottom for the first time since 2009. Across town, Liverpool returned to winning ways with a cagey 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Alexander Isak’s 57th-minute goal proved to be the only decisive moment in a match with few clear chances, marking his fourth league goal of the season—more than he managed in his entire first campaign following his move from Newcastle United. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola celebrated a return to his old club with only his second Premier League win since taking charge at Anfield, moving the Reds up to sixth place.
