Manchester City stretched on top the English Premier League (EPL) by moving three points ahead of Arsenal. This chaotic and exciting 5–3 triumph over Sunderland marked one of the craziest weekends of soccer so far this year. At the end of it all, Manchester City emerged victorious after a wild eight-goal affair at the Etihad Stadium. Additionally, during the chaos-filled afternoon, Erling Haaland achieved a long awaited record, having failed to achieve the feat for two consecutive years.
The Order of the Goals:
In addition to the wild goal scoring that defined the day, Manchester City opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Enzo Fernández curled home a free kick for his first goal since coming from Chelsea.
However, Brian Brobbey leveled for Sunderland mere seconds later, tapping the ball behind Gianluigi Donnarumma to tie the match at 1–1. Shortly thereafter, Rayan Cherki regained the lead for Manchester City, however, Brobbey once again tied the game and sent both teams into halftime tied at 2–2.
Manchester City regained the upper hand immediately following halftime via Antoine Semenyo’s reaction goal after a loose ball inside the area gave him the opportunity to do so. It was the fifth goal of a wild and fast-paced first half.
Semenyo would add a second early in the second half to give Manchester City a four-goal cushion over Sunderland. Brobbey would complete his third hat trick of the day to bring Sunderland within one goal.
Despite City’s defense looking wobbly due to continued pressure from Sunderland, it was Haaland who ended the game in the 81st minute when he slid in at the back post and converted a low cross from Josko Gvardiol. Initially, Haaland’s goal was called offside before VAR reviewed it and determined it did stand.
A Record Two Years in the Making
Erling Haaland’s finish was more than just the winner – it was the culmination of something that had been denied him for nearly two years. Prior to this season, Haaland had never scored against Sunderland. Although they had played twice against each other last season, he had gone goal-less against them in those encounters. After Haaland’s strike, he now has found the net against every team he has faced (all 25) since entering the Premier League; he is now up to 117 league goals for Manchester City. His fifth goal of the season also keeps him at the top of the current Golden Boot standings.
A Winning Start Under a New Manager:
The win also made Enzo Maresca perfect in his five Premier League games as manager of Manchester City. No manager in Premier League history has won each of their first five games as manager of a new club. Currently, City sits atop the Premier League with 15 points, three ahead of last year’s champions Arsenal in second.
Hat Trick a Silver Lining in Tough Day For Sunderland
Although Sunderland lost 5–3, Brobbey’s hat trick in defeat represented one of few positives for Sunderland on what proved to be an otherwise tough day. He is now one of only four players to ever have scored a hat trick against a team leading the Premier League on Match Day. Those players include Robbie Fowler and Dirk Kuyt.
Moving Forward
Though City remained undefeated, they were frequently exposed defensively throughout. They allowed three goals at home for the first time this season. If this was simply a product of playing an extremely direct Sunderland attack and not indicative of something else that may develop going forward remains to be seen.
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