Manchester City went three points clear at the top of the Premier League table after defeating Sunderland 5-3 at home on Sunday, while Man United held Fulham to a 1-1 draw away from home.
New signing Enzo Fernandez curled in a free-kick in the ninth minute to give City the lead but the lead only lasted three minutes before Brian Brobbey restored parity for Sunderland.
Man City took the lead again in the 29th minute when the ball fell to Rayan Cherki in the box, the french international made no mistake in poking the ball into the net.
Sunderland equalised again when Thomas Meunier found Brobbey with a beautiful pass, the forward converted to an empty net before half time.
Anthony Semenyo gave City respite in the second half with a brace but Brian Brobbey scored his third of the game to put pressure on City.
Striker Erling Haaland scored City’s fifth goal late on to secure the win for Enzo Merasca’s men.
Manchester City Manager Enzo Maresca said the game was difficult but it was good his side manage to win.
“It was very difficult, but we found a way to win the game. The good thing also is that these seven official games have all been different. We experience different things,” Maresca said.
At Craven Cottage, Manchester United were minutes away from suffering a third consecutive defeat after Lisandro Martinez scored an own goal just pass the hour mark.
Reprieve came through an 89th minute equalizer by Cunha who salvaged a point for Michael Carrick’s men, leaving them with 5 points after five games.
Speaking to Reporters after the game, forward Cunha said his side were unlucky but still need to improve.
“In the beginning of the second half they put in more energy than us and we cannot accept this. We always play better after conceding goal, and it cannot be like this,” the Brazilian said.
“I don’t think today was about final decisions, we were a bit unlucky, I hit the post, and Bruno (Fernandes) hit the post. We need to create more and hope the luck comes and we score. We need to improve in every single position,” he added.
At the Vitality stadium Liverpool came out top in a cagey tie with Bournemouth, with Alexander Isak scoring the only goal of the game in the 57th minute.
