Maresca would rather Manchester City win 1-0 after Sunderland thriller

Enzo Maresca said he was pleased with Manchester City’s performance in their 5-3 victory over Sunderland, but admitted he would much rather have seen his side win by a single goal.

The Premier League fifth-round match at Etihad Stadium produced eight goals in an entertaining and chaotic contest, with Sunderland applying pressure to the hosts throughout.

Maresca had warned before kick-off that Sunderland represented Manchester City’s toughest test so far. After the match, he opened his interview with Sky Sports with a smile and said: “I was right.”

“Sunderland are a very good team, strong and dangerous, but once again we found a way to win the game, and that is important at this moment,” the Italian said.

Manchester City conceded three times during a match in which Sunderland repeatedly threatened, and Maresca acknowledged that some of the goals were allowed too easily.

“We also conceded some goals very easily, but we only started eight weeks ago and we have played all kinds of different games, so we have learned a lot,” he added.

The victory came in Manchester City’s seventh competitive fixture of the campaign. Maresca said the variety of those matches had provided valuable experience for a team still developing under his management.

“We have played seven official games and all of them have been different, which is good because we learn from every game,” he said.

“It is about learning. You have to learn to become better, and today was no different. But we found a way to win the game.”

Despite the result, Maresca made clear that he has little enthusiasm for high-scoring matches, even when his side comes out on top.

“There were far too many goals,” he said. “I prefer a 1-0 result. It is much better!”

Maresca’s satisfaction came primarily from the fact that Manchester City secured the points despite Sunderland’s sustained challenge and the defensive problems they faced.

“I am happy with today’s performance because we found a way to win,” he said. “But hopefully we will not concede three goals next time.”