Manchester City withstand Sunderland fightback to go three points clear

Manchester City moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a dramatic 5-3 victory over Sunderland, despite Brian Brobbey scoring a hat-trick. Liverpool also earned a 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Andoni Iraola’s return to the south coast.

City capitalised on Arsenal’s unexpected 3-0 defeat by Brighton on Saturday, although they were made to work for the points after Sunderland repeatedly cancelled out their advantage at the Etihad Stadium.

Enzo Fernandez put the hosts ahead with his first goal since joining from Chelsea for £125 million ($167 million), a fee that equalled the Premier League transfer record. The Argentina midfielder’s free-kick deceived Robin Roefs at his near post.

Sunderland had beaten AZ Alkmaar in their first European match for 53 years in midweek, but showed no signs of fatigue as they continued to trouble the champions.

Brobbey levelled by converting Enzo Le Fee’s pass, before Rayan Cherki restored City’s lead with a quick-footed move and composed finish. Sunderland responded again within four minutes, with Brobbey completing a well-worked attack to make it 2-2.

Antoine Semenyo put City back in front before the interval and appeared to settle the contest shortly before the hour, when he found the net with another precise finish from his left foot.

Brobbey completed his treble after Nilson Angulo won the race to a ball played over the top and set up the chance. City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was beaten to the ball, and Sunderland came close to an equaliser when a pair of uneasy moments from the Italian allowed Ruben Dias to clear off his own goal-line.

Erling Haaland eventually joined the scoring, securing the three points and completing his record of having scored against every team he has faced in the Premier League.

The result maintained Enzo Maresca’s perfect beginning to the difficult task of replacing Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager.

Iraola received a warm welcome from Bournemouth supporters, having guided the club into Europe for the first time in its history. That achievement led to the Basque manager being recruited by Liverpool, although his start at Anfield has been inconsistent and he needed a positive result before a three-week international break.

Liverpool were again unconvincing, but claimed victory when Cody Gakpo’s cross fell kindly for Alexander Isak, who struck his fourth goal of the season.

The win lifted Liverpool to sixth, one point behind third-placed Brighton.

Leeds missed the opportunity to move into third place after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Crystal Palace. Tyrick Mitchell appeared to put Palace ahead after the interval, but the goal was disallowed because of an offside offence in the build-up.

Manchester United will later visit bottom club Fulham, with manager Michael Carrick under pressure. United have collected only four points from their opening four games and were eliminated from the League Cup by Brighton in midweek after surrendering a 2-0 home lead for the first time in 50 years.