Man City v Sunderland
Play By Play
Cementing their place as Premier League leaders, Manchester City beat Sunderland 5-3 at the Etihad, following a frenetic contest that barely paused for breath from first whistle to last. The hosts twice lost the lead before half-time, then scored twice more, only for their resilient visitors to bite back again; a late goal by Haaland - who has now scored against all 25 Premier League teams he has faced - finally secured maximum points. It all started when Enzo Fernandez opened proceedings with a clever free-kick, before Brobbey struck back within three minutes. Cherki restored City's lead on the half-hour mark, but that didn't last long, as Brobbey finished again from close range. With half-time approaching, Semenyo then fired an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner, putting City 3-2 up by the break. His second goal gave them some breathing space just shy of the hour mark, but that man Brobbey responded by completing his hat-trick and setting up a grandstand finale. Both sides also hit the woodwork, and both goalkeepers were tested, as City ended with an xG of 2.72 and Sunderland accrued an incredible 4.25 from 17 shots. The Black Cats must still leave Manchester empty-handed, and they will have three weeks to wait until in-form Brighton arrive at the Stadium of Light. Meanwhile, Man City's perfect Premier League record under Maresca continues; after the international break, they'll visit Anfield for a showdown with Liverpool. That's all from our live coverage of a chaotic clash at the Etihad, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 5-3 SUNDERLAND
Though Mukiele cuts an excellent cross back from the right byline, Fofana can only steer his header straight at Donnarumma. It's a simple stop for City's goalkeeper, who has been beaten three times but will still end up on the winning side.
With maximum points essentially safe, Man City are set to lead the Premier League by three from Arsenal heading into the international break. That represents a very impressive start to the Maresca era.
As there will be at least five more minutes added for stoppages, there's still time for a ninth goal in this crazy game.
OFF THE POST! After Donnarumma dives down to make a sharp stop from Mukiele's fierce cross-shot, the ball breaks to Ballard. His 10-yard shot is heavily deflected, and it spins behind for a corner via the left-hand post!
Out of 25 Premier League opponents he's already faced, Sunderland stood alone as the only club to prevent Haaland from scoring, spoling an otherwise perfect record. He's now completed the set, and that strike seems to have finished off the Black Cats.
SUPER STOP! Doku's delightful ball frees O'Reilly in the area, and the substitute looks set to score within a minute of leaving the bench. Roefs has other ideas, though, and he races out to make a smothering save: great goalkeeping!
After another influential display in Man City's attack - with the highlight being his first-half goal - Cherki makes way for O'Reilly.
Breaking forward from left-back, Gvardiol plays a perfectly weighted pass along the box for Haaland to convert.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! MAN CITY LEAD 5-3! After a VAR review, Haaland's goal is given! It was initially chalked off due to an apparent offside, but his far-post slide to finish Gvardiol's low cross was perfectly legal! Surely that secures a seventh straight win for City?
GOAL RULED OUT! Gvardiol crosses along the six-yard box for Haaland, who slides in to score at the back post! It's swiftly ruled out for offside by the officials, but the VAR is going to take a closer look!
At the end of an extended period of pressure, Fofana cuts inside onto his preferred foot and tests Donnarumma from the left side of the area. However, his strike is sent too close to the goalkeeper, who completes a straightforward save.
Le Bris introduces fresh legs on Sunderland's right flank: Hume will replace veteran wide man Meunier.
Full of confidence and power, Semenyo bumps Mathalie off the ball on City's right wing. He then cuts the ball inside for Doku, whose tame 20-yard shot is blocked by the first defender.
Man City have had a 71% share of possession since the hour mark, as they gradually inch towards the finish line. Given the way this incredible game has unfolded, the final few minutes surely won't pass without further chances.
Sunderland's defence can't rest yet: City's wing wizard Doku returns to action, replacing Ndiaye for the closing stages.
Meunier's cross is cut out by Semenyo, but only at the cost of a corner. It's driven towards the near post by Xhaka, whose delivery is read well by Enzo Fernandez; the latter stoops to head the ball clear.
Another brilliant free-kick from set-piece specialist Xhaka creates a half-chance for Sunderland. Ballard wins the initial aerial contest, just inside the box, before Brobbey is penalised for a foul when trying to tee up a shot.
OFF THE LINE! Saving his own skin, Ruben Dias preserves City's lead! Xhaka's long free-kick causes chaos, as Guehi and Donnarumma fail to deal with it. Ruben Dias then does get a touch on the ball, but he only sends it spinning towards his own goal. Under pressure from Isidor, he then races back and hacks it away from the line!
Le Bris opts for a positive change, as Isidor is sent on to partner Brobbey up front. Sadiki will make way, with Le Fee probably dropping a little deeper.
The first man to score three in one top-flight game for Sunderland since 2016, Brobbey is also just the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick against the team starting that day top of the table. He follows Robbie Fowler (vs Aston Villa in November 1998), Dirk Kuyt (vs Manchester United in March 2011), and Romelu Lukaku (vs Manchester United in May 2013).
Played in by Semenyo's cutback from the left byline, Cherki sweeps a first-time strike high over the crossbar. One more goal would surely finish off Sunderland for good, but City are still holding a dangerously slim lead.
CLOSE! Another Enzo Fernandez corner comes over from the left, and Ruben Dias attacks it in the centre. Slightly nudged by Ballard, he can only glance his six-yard header narrowly past the right-hand post!
Enzo Fernandez whips over a corner-kick from the left side, but his delivery just beats Gvardiol's leap at the back post and skips over the right byline.
