Semenyo stars as Manchester City survive Sunderland thriller

Antoine Semenyo scored twice as Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a dramatic 5-3 win over Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The result moved City three points clear at the top of the table, although the leaders were twice pegged back before eventually securing victory in an entertaining contest.

Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring with a clever free-kick from a tight angle, but Brian Brobbey brought Sunderland level. Rayan Cherki restored City’s lead before Brobbey struck again to make it 2-2.

Semenyo then took control of the game, scoring either side of half-time to give City a 4-2 advantage. Brobbey completed his hat-trick to set up a tense finale, but Erling Haaland put the result beyond doubt with City’s fifth goal.

Haaland’s strike also completed his scoring record against every Premier League opponent he has faced as a Manchester City player.

Semenyo said the match was enjoyable because City managed to come away with all three points.

“Yeah, if you’re winning at the end, you definitely enjoy it. If you lose, not so much,” he said.

“We held on together as a team and we got the three points. It’s definitely an enjoyable watch. We’re just happy we got the three points at the end of the day.”

City have won every match so far this season, but Semenyo said the squad must guard against becoming complacent during the international break.

“It’s been good so far. We don’t want to get too complacent,” he said. “International break now so everyone will recharge and go to their games. We will come back from the international break and go again.”

He also praised the influence of Enzo Maresca and the atmosphere developing within the squad.

“It’s been amazing. He (Enzo Maresca) has come in and everyone is adjusting and we’re building a nice culture,” Semenyo said. “We’re hoping we can collect as many points as we can.”

The City winger admitted Sunderland had made the task difficult and deserved credit for their contribution to a high-scoring game.

“It was a tough battle today. We knew it would be hard,” Semenyo said.

“They’re a very good team and they made it difficult for us in so many periods of the game. They’ve made it tough against every team they’ve played so far.

“We knew it would be a tough one. We’re just happy with the three points.”

Manchester City return to Premier League action after the international break when they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday, 11 October.