Manchester City needed every ounce of composure to see off a spirited Sunderland side in a breathless eight-goal encounter, moving three points clear at the summit of the Premier League.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring in the ninth minute, curling a free-kick past the near post for his maiden goal since arriving from Chelsea in a £125m deal. Sunderland refused to be shaken, though, and drew level almost immediately when Enzo le Fee threaded a superb pass to Brian Brobbey, who calmly beat Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City regained the advantage after catching the visitors out attempting to build from deep, with Rayan Cherki tucking away a composed finish. Sunderland responded once more, Le Fee again the architect as he found Thomas Meunier, who squared unselfishly for Brobbey to net into an unguarded goal, a strike confirmed only after a lengthy offside review.
Antoine Semenyo restored City’s lead just before the interval with a crisp finish, and Erling Haaland spurned a golden chance moments later, dragging his effort wide with the net at his mercy.
The hosts extended their advantage early in the second period through a deflected Semenyo effort, only for Brobbey to complete his first career hat trick within minutes, capitalising on a Granit Xhaka assist via Nilson Angulo.
Donnarumma endured a nervy spell, needing Ruben Dias to clear off the line after fumbling a cross, before City finally settled matters nine minutes from full time. Haaland converted Josko Gvardiol’s cross at the back post, overturned from an initial offside call, extending his remarkable record of scoring against every side he has faced in the competition.
City head into the international break unbeaten and top of the standings.
