Perfect City in the Premier League, Sunderland Beaten 5-3

Manchester City maintained their perfect record in the 2026/27 English Premier League after defeating Sunderland 5-3 in the matchweek 5 fixture at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 20 September 2026.

The match played out as a fiercely contested encounter that produced eight total goals. Antoine Semenyo emerged as one of the standout performers, notching two goals for City. The remaining three goals were scored by Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland respectively.

For Sunderland, Brian Brobbey delivered a clinical performance as he netted every single one of his side's three goals.

With this three-point haul, Manchester City remain firmly anchored at the top of the league table with 15 points from five matches. Sunderland meanwhile occupy 14th position with four points.

City opened the scoring in the 9th minute. Enzo Fernandez was awarded a free kick, and he successfully placed the ball into the top right corner of Sunderland's goal to put the hosts 1-0 ahead.

Sunderland did not take long to respond. Just three minutes later, Brobbey latched onto a long ball from Enzo Le Fee played into the penalty area. The striker fired a powerful low shot into the bottom right corner to level the score at 1-1.

The match intensified once again in the 29th minute. City regained their lead when Rayan Cherki pounced on a loose ball from Semenyo amid a scramble inside the penalty box. His strike found the bottom left corner, taking the scoreline to 2-1.

However, Sunderland hit back with another equaliser. In the 33rd minute, Brobbey received a pass inside the penalty area before drilling a low shot towards the left side of the goal.

This goal was reviewed by VAR over a suspected offside call. Following the official check, the referee awarded the goal, bringing the score to 2-2.

Manchester City went back ahead shortly before the end of the first half. In the 43rd minute, a deflected clearance fell to Semenyo just outside the penalty area.

Taking the opportunity immediately, Semenyo struck a low driven shot that the Sunderland goalkeeper was unable to stop. City closed out the first half holding a 3-2 lead.

After the half time interval, Manchester City immediately pushed to extend their advantage. This pressure paid off in the 57th minute when Semenyo capitalised on a defensive error from a Sunderland player just outside the penalty box.

Semenyo unleashed a powerful effort to extend City's lead to 4-2.

Sunderland responded with attacking pressure of their own. Just two minutes later, Brobbey scored his third goal of the match.

Positioned inside the penalty area, Brobbey converted the chance with a sharp, quick finish. This goal completed the striker's hat-trick, and brought Sunderland back within one goal at 4-3.

City came close to extending their lead in the 66th minute. Cherki found space inside the box after collecting a short pass, but his finish flew over the crossbar.

Sunderland were then presented with a golden chance to equalise in the 71st minute. Brobbey was once again perfectly positioned to reach a rebounded ball.

However, Ruben Dias produced a crucial match-saving intervention. The Manchester City defender cleared the ball off the goal line to deny Sunderland their fourth goal.

Manchester City finally sealed the victory in the 83rd minute. Erling Haaland converted a close range chance to score The Citizens' fifth goal of the match.

This goal was initially ruled out for offside against Haaland. Referee Robert Jones reviewed the incident via VAR, before eventually confirming the goal stood.

Manchester City held their 5-3 lead right up until the final whistle blew.

This result means The Citizens have kept their perfect start intact after five matches of the 2026/27 Premier League season, having collected all 15 available points.