Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a dramatic 5-3 victory over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, in a match marked by relentless attacking play and a remarkable hat-trick from Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.

City, managed by Enzo Maresca, extended their winning streak to five games but were far from the dominant force many expected. The encounter featured eight goals and several momentum shifts, highlighting Sunderland’s resilience and offensive threat despite their underdog status.

Sunderland’s performance was notable for their aggressive approach and multiple comebacks during the match. They equalized shortly after falling behind on three separate occasions, demonstrating determination against a team currently leading the Premier League. Brobbey, who had not scored before this match, made history by becoming the first player since Jamie Vardy in 2016 to score a Premier League hat-trick against Manchester City. His third goal came just two minutes after City had moved ahead 4-3, emphasizing Sunderland’s refusal to yield easily.

“Even with the defeat, we are proud,” Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris said, reflecting on a performance that produced an expected goals (xG) value of 4.25, with Sunderland registering 17 shots, eight on target. Le Bris acknowledged that his team likely deserved more goals, indicating Sunderland’s attacking effectiveness against a strong City defense.

City’s breakthrough came courtesy of Erling Haaland, who scored twice, including his first goal of the afternoon that helped secure the win. Haaland, whose early frustration underlined the unpredictability of the match, now holds the Premier League record of scoring against all 25 opposing clubs he has faced. His opening goal was initially ruled out by VAR but later confirmed after an offside check involving teammate Josko Gvardiol.

Despite the victory, Maresca admitted his side’s defensive performance was below the standard expected of title contenders, citing two goals conceded as “too easy.” Defender Ruben Dias played a crucial role in keeping Sunderland from drawing level, including a key goal-line clearance when the score was 4-3. Even late in the game, Sunderland remained dangerous, with defender Dan Ballard narrowly missing a chance by hitting the post when trailing 5-3.

Sunderland’s attacking threat was driven not only by Brobbey’s physical presence but also by the creative contributions of Enzo Le Fee and the pace of Nilson Angulo. Maresca acknowledged the challenge posed by the visiting team, describing Sunderland as his side’s toughest opposition so far this season.

While Sunderland’s impressive display failed to yield points, it underscored their capacity to produce highly competitive performances against elite opposition. For City, the victory keeps them atop the table alongside Arsenal, who also dropped three goals in their latest match, but City’s ability to score multiple times proved decisive in an entertaining and unpredictable contest.