Manchester City survived a spirited Sunderland fightback to claim a dramatic 5-3 victory and move three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring after nine minutes, netting his first goal since his £125m move from Chelsea by curling a clever free-kick inside the near post.
Sunderland responded quickly when Enzo le Fee’s excellent pass released Brian Brobbey, who calmly slipped the ball beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City restored their lead after Sunderland were caught playing out from the back.
The hosts worked the ball to Rayan Cherki, who guided a composed finish into the bottom corner.
The Black Cats hit back once again. Le Fee split City’s defence with another fine pass to Thomas Meunier, who squared the ball for Brobbey to finish into an empty net.
A lengthy VAR check followed, but the goal was awarded.
City began to dominate possession as the first half progressed and went ahead for a third time two minutes before the break.
Sunderland failed to clear a cross, allowing Antoine Semenyo to fire a powerful shot into the net.
Erling Haaland should have extended the lead during stoppage time, but he sent his effort wide after good work from Iliman Ndiaye.
City’s fourth goal arrived early in the second half when Marc Guehi’s intended pass to Haaland fell kindly for Semenyo, who drilled a left-footed finish into the far corner.
Sunderland refused to surrender and responded just two minutes later.
Granit Xhaka found Nilson Angulo, whose low delivery was bundled home by Brobbey to complete his first senior hat-trick.
The visitors continued to threaten and almost equalised after Donnarumma failed to claim a high ball.
Ruben Dias’ loose touch sent the ball bouncing towards goal, but the City captain recovered to clear it off the line.
City eventually secured the points nine minutes from time when Haaland slid in at the back post to convert Josko Gvardiol’s cross.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR overturned the decision after replays showed Gvardiol had timed his run perfectly.
Haaland has now scored against every Premier League opponent he has faced, while City enter the international break with a perfect league record.
City have won all five of their league matches, scoring 13 goals, while also securing victories in Europe and the Carabao Cup during their encouraging start under Enzo Maresca.
However, their performance against Sunderland exposed some defensive concerns.
The visitors produced 4.25 expected goals and repeatedly troubled a back line that had conceded only twice in the league before this match.
City were far from convincing, but their attacking quality again proved decisive.
Fernandez’s inventive free-kick and Semenyo’s clinical finishing demonstrated their ability to punish opponents even when they are not at their best.
Sunderland ended a demanding week without a point from matches against the Premier League’s top two, despite producing performances worthy of a better reward.
Regis le Bris’ side responded impressively each time City took the lead and continued pushing forward even after falling 5-3 behind.
Dan Ballard and Malick Fofana both missed good late opportunities that could have created a tense finish.
Although the manner of the goals conceded will disappoint Le Bris, Sunderland’s attacking display offered plenty of encouragement.
If they maintain this level of performance, positive results should soon follow.
