NewzErling Haaland scored the eighth goal of the game as Manchester City beat Sunderland but it gave him a unique personal record. Brian Brobbey scored a hat-trick in a losing cause as Manchester City maintained their 100 per cent Premier League start with a frantic 5-3 win over Sunderland. Sunderland's Brian Brobbey (second left) in action against Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol (centre) during the English Premier League match in Manchester, Britain.
(EPA Images pic)MANCHESTER: Brian Brobbey's hattrick for Sunderland could not prevent Manchester City opening up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a thrilling 5-3 win, while Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Andoni Iraola's return to the south coast.City took advantage of Arsenal's shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday but made life hard for themselves despite taking the lead three times at the Etihad Stadium.Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring with his first goal since equalling the Premier League transfer record with a £125 million (US$167 million) move from Chelsea.The Argentine midfielder's free-kick caught out Robin Roefs at his near post.Sunderland won their first European match for 53 years against AZ Alkmaar in midweek but showed little sign of tiredness as City could not shake off the Black Cats.Brobbey slotted home Enzo Le Fee's pass for the first of his treble.Quick feet and a slick finish from Rayan Cherki restored City's advantage, but Brobbey again replied within four minutes at the end of a fine Sunderland move.Antoine Semenyo smashed City back in front before half-time and thought he had settled the game with another accurate left-footed finish just before the hour mark.Brobbey completed his hattrick after Nilson Angulo beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to a ball over the top.A couple of nervy moments from the Italian goalkeeper nearly led to a Sunderland equaliser as Ruben Dias was forced to clear off his own line.However, Erling Haaland finally got involved in the goalfest to seal the three points and ensured he has scored against every side he has faced in the Premier League.Victory extends Enzo Maresca's perfect start to the daunting task of succeeding Pep Guardiola as City boss.Iraola's winning returnIraola was given a warm reception at Bournemouth after leading the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club's history.That success led to the Basque being snapped up by Liverpool, but he has endured an up-and-down start at Anfield and needed a victory to ease tensions before a three-week international break.Liverpool's performance was again far from convincing, but they got the only goal when Cody Gakpo's cross sat up for Alexander Isak to fire in his… FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sunderland. Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo scored twice as Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo struck once in each half as City secured a fifth consecutive league win, although Sunderland pushed the champions all the way in a game that produced eight goals. City took control early, with Enzo Fernández, Rayan Cherki and Semenyo putting them in a commanding position. Sunderland, however, refused to fold, with Brian Brobbey scoring a hat-trick to repeatedly drag the visitors back into the contest.
Brobbey’s first two goals brought Sunderland level at 1-1 and 2-2 before Semenyo restored City’s advantage after the break. The Black Stars forward’s second goal proved particularly important as City looked to withstand Sunderland’s pressure, before Erling Haaland finally put the result beyond doubt with his first Premier League goal against the Black Cats. Sunderland had reduced the deficit to 4-3 and threatened to complete a remarkable comeback, but a crucial acrobatic clearance from Rúben Dias on the goal line helped City preserve their lead.
Haaland’s late finish eventually settled the contest and ensured Enzo Maresca’s side remained perfect after five matches. For Semenyo, the brace further underlines his growing importance to City’s attack, with the Ghana international continuing to make an impact in front of goal. MANCHESTER, England (AP) — No Pep Guardiola.
No problem.Not yet anyway for Manchester City after moving clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday with a 5-3 win over Sunderland.New coach Enzo Maresca extended his perfect winning start to the season to five games and goes into the international break three points ahead of defending champion Arsenal in second place.But that doesn't tell half the story of a chaotic match at the Etihad Stadium that saw City twice squander the lead and Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey outshine Erling Haaland with a hat trick.Eventually it was Haaland who ended the visitors' brave fight with City's fifth goal in the 81st minute.Alexander Isak scored his fourth goal of the season as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0, and Leeds drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace.Perfect EnzoMaresca’s 100% record continues after taking on arguably the most daunting task in soccer when stepping into Guardiola’s shoes over the summer. “I’m always trying to see what we can do better. Two of the three goals that we concede, they have been too easy."Sunderland repeatedly cut City open, scoring three goals and creating numerous chances to add more.City twice squandered leads in the first half before going in at the break 3-2 up.Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a free kick that curled into the near post, but Brobbey got in behind City’s defense to quickly level.Rayan Cherki restored the home team’s advantage with a low effort from inside the area before Brobbey equalized for a second time as Sunderland again took advantage of slack City defending.Antoine Semenyo drilled a low shot past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs shortly before halftime and lashed home his second in the 57th to give City breathing room.Brobbey completed his hat trick by forcing the ball over the line from close range and Ruben Dias had to clear off the line to avoid the game being leveled again with an own-goal.Haaland's seventh goal in his last five games avoided a tense finish and ensured that City…
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