Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland: Maresca’s Perfect Start

Manchester City, under new manager Enzo Maresca, secured a dramatic 5-3 victory over Sunderland, cementing a perfect start to the season after Arsenal were thumped by Brighton. The win keeps City at the top of the Premier League and puts pressure on the defending champions.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:22:21 GMT

Manchester City entered the international break with a perfect 24‑hour run, having beaten Sunderland 5‑3 at the Etihad after Arsenal were stunned 3‑0 by Brighton. The win, described by new manager Enzo Maresca as the team’s toughest test so far, keeps City at the summit of the Premier League with a 100% record and puts the defending champions under pressure.

From a Humbling to a Triumph

City’s journey to this point began with a 1‑0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield in August, a result that set high expectations for Maresca as he stepped into the role previously held by Pep Guardiola. The early season saw a string of victories, including a 3‑1 win over Liverpool and a 4‑1 triumph against Crystal Palace, all of which helped the club maintain a clean sheet in the first four Premier League fixtures.

On Saturday, Arsenal’s loss to Brighton on the south coast opened the door for City to seize the top spot. The Gunners, who had been tipped as heavy favourites to retain their crown, were unable to respond, and City capitalised on the momentum by securing a 5‑3 win over Sunderland on Sunday.

The Match: A Rollercoaster of Goals

The Etihad saw a back‑and‑forth battle, with City taking an early lead through a well‑placed header from Antoine Semenyo. Sunderland’s Rayan Cherki answered with a stunning strike, and the scoreline was 1‑1 by the 30th minute.

City’s attack continued to fire, with Semenyo adding a second goal and a vital assist, while Enzo Fernandez netted his first for the club. Sunderland’s striker, Brian Brobbey, managed a hat‑trick but could not prevent a loss, becoming only the sixth player in Premier League history to score a hat‑trick and still lose.

Erling Haaland’s late goal sealed the result, making him the first player to score against every Premier League team he has faced. The match’s high‑scoring nature meant that City’s defense had to work hard to keep the scoreline from spiralling, conceding three goals in a single match for the first time in the season.

Maresca’s Perspective and Future Challenges

In a post‑match interview, Maresca admitted that a 1‑0 win would have been preferable but praised his side for finding a way to triumph in a difficult game. He highlighted the variety of challenges City faced in the seven official matches so far, from playing with ten men to losing 1‑0 to Bournemouth, and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to learn from each experience.

Looking ahead, City will face Liverpool on Sunday, 11 October, a trip that will test their resilience after the international break. The club’s defensive frailties, exposed by Sunderland’s three goals, will be a key focus for Maresca as he seeks to maintain the team’s dominant form.

What Happens Next?

City will return to action after the international break to face Liverpool, a match that will test the team’s defensive organization and ability to maintain their winning streak. The club’s performance against Sunderland will be scrutinised, with a focus on how they can prevent conceding easy goals in future fixtures.

Key facts

City’s 5‑3 win keeps them top of the Premier League
Maresca wins his first five games in charge
Haaland scores against all 25 Premier League teams
Sunderland’s Brobbey scores a hat‑trick but loses
Defensive concerns after conceding three goals

Why it matters

The match not only secured Manchester City’s position at the top of the Premier League but also showcased the early challenges and successes of Enzo Maresca’s tenure, setting the tone for the rest of the season.