Brobbey hat-trick not enough as City's five-goal haul keeps them three points clear

Manchester City held off a remarkable Brian Brobbey hat-trick to beat Sunderland 5-3 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, preserving their perfect Premier League record and opening a three-point gap over Arsenal at the summit.

Brobbey’s treble gave Regi Le Bris’ newly promoted side every reason to believe in a famous upset, but City’s firepower ultimately proved too much. Enzo Fernandez scored his first goal for the club, Antoine Semenyo struck twice, Rayan Cherki added another, and Erling Haaland rounded off the scoring — meaning the Norwegian has now netted against all 25 teams he has faced in the Premier League.

Fernandez broke the deadlock with a clever free-kick from a tight angle, clipping into the near post after spotting Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs had left too much room. Brobbey responded almost immediately, latching onto a superb through ball from Enzo Le Fee and finishing past Gianluigi Donnarumma to level.

City retook the lead through Cherki, who showed sharp close control after Semenyo unselfishly laid the ball off rather than shooting himself. Sunderland drew level again when Le Fee’s pass found Thomas Meunier, who squared for Brobbey to tap in — a goal that survived a lengthy VAR review following last week’s controversy involving Haaland.

Semenyo restored City’s advantage before half-time, hammering home after Marc Guehi’s persistence kept a cross alive. Haaland spurned a gilt-edged chance to make it 4-2 at the break, inexplicably firing wide from Iliman Ndiaye’s lay-off.

Semenyo doubled his tally 11 minutes into the second half, converting after Cherki’s through ball deflected into his path. Brobbey completed his hat-trick moments later, thumping in from close range after Nilson Angulo’s effort appeared to be crossing the line anyway.

Ruben Dias produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Sunderland a fourth, hooking clear after unconvincing goalkeeping from Donnarumma threatened to let the visitors back level. Haaland then settled any remaining nerves to seal the win and extend City’s flawless start to the campaign.