Erling Haaland scored the clincher as Manchester City overpowered Sunderland 5-3 at the Etihad stadium, on Sunday
The EPL encounter produced five first half goals as a battling Sunderland threatened to end Man City’s winning start to the season with a Brian Brobbey hattrick, but it was Haaland’s record-setting goal that sealed all three points for the hosts
Enzo Fernandez scored his first Man City goal from a free kick on nine minutes but the lead lasted only three minutes as Brobbey beat Gianluigi DOnnarumma with a close range finish for the equalizer
The Netherlands striker would repeat the feat on 33 minutes to restore the parity four minutes after Ryan Cherki made it 2-1
Antoine Semenyo then netted a brace either side of halftime to hand Man City a two-goal lead, but Brobbey exploited City’s vulnerable defence to reduce the deficit and complete his hattrick, the first by a Sunderland player since Jermaine Defoe in 2016
Haaland missed an earlier sitter but put the match beyond Sunderland’s reach with a well-placed finish to become only the second EPL player to score against all clubs he has faced in the league (25 clubs)
Man City manager Enzo Maresca also became the sixth manager in EPL history to win his first five games
The victory ensured Man City remain the only side to have won all its matches so far in the EPL, and are top of the table with 15 points, three ahead of second-placed Arsenal, after five matches
Liverpool also won in their fixture at Bournemouth, Alexander Isak scored the only goal that ensured the Reds returned to winning ways after dropping points last week