Manchester City opened the Premier League title race wide open by easily defeating Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium, capitalizing on leaders Arsenal’s loss.
Pep Guardiola’s team had seen the Gunners suffer a last-gasp setback to Aston Villa at lunchtime on Saturday, and they made sure there was no slip-up of their own by swatting away the visitors to move within two points of the top.
Manchester City struggled to break down Sunderland’s low block at first and was thwarted by a strong five-man backline.
After keeping the hosts at bay, the visitors lost the game in the space of four first-half minutes, thanks to goals by City’s two center-backs.
The Black Cats’ defenders sat back on Ruben Dias, which proved catastrophic as the Portugal international charged forward and unleashed a tremendous 30-yard strike that deflected off Dan Ballard and spun into the top corner.
The hosts increased their lead at 35 minutes when Josko Gvardiol leaped highest to force home a powerful header from Phil Foden’s inswinging corner, giving the hosts a comfortable half-time lead.
City attempted to add to the score in the second half, but Jeremy Doku’s low curling effort hit the post, while Foden’s first-time follow-up was well blocked.
Lutsharel Geertruida cleared Erling Haaland’s hooked shot off the line before Rayan Cherki produced a superb assist for Foden to score the third goal.
Sunderland had few chances in the first half, with Enzo le Fee firing wide, but they had more in the second half.
Following Dias’ error, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a huge stop to deny Wilson Isidor, while captain Granit Xhaka’s powerful low shot beat the Italy international but cannoned against the post.
Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien was sent off in injury time for a vicious, studs-high hit on Matheus Nunes, with the yellow card upgraded to red after referee Andy Madley reviewed the action on the pitchside monitor.
Manchester City took full advantage of Arsenal’s error at Villa Park and are now within striking distance of the top.
The home side had little success in the first 30 minutes, but Dias’ thunderbolt and Gvardiol’s header changed the game—and possibly the title race—in City’s favor.
Despite Sunderland’s fantastic start to their return to the top division, City were heavy favorites going into this game, and they made no mistakes.
They have now won seven consecutive matches against the Black Cats, extending their dominance over promoted sides to 25 victories in 27 such encounters, with the other two drawn.
Cherki, a France international, stood out for City with two assists, bringing his total to six for the season; the second was an audacious ‘rabona’ completed by Foden via the crossbar.
With the Englishman on fire and Haaland as the talisman up front, 22-year-old playmaker Cherki appears to have the potential to bring another dimension to City’s assault.
Regis le Bris’ side has been a revelation this season, and despite the big setback, they remain eighth in the table.
They came into this game full of confidence, having lost only once in their previous five games and earning a well-deserved point at champions Liverpool in midweek.
But conceding two quick goals in the first half dashed any hopes of a shock victory at City, where they have never won the Premier League in 14 attempts.
Pep Guardiola’s team will face Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League match on Wednesday (kick-off 20:00 GMT), while Regis le Bris’ team will face Newcastle in the Wear-Tyne derby next Sunday (14:00).
Isidor missed a chance at 2-0, and Xhaka’s strike hit the woodwork, highlighting the importance of fine margins.
They will reflect on Isidor’s squandered chance at 2-0, firing straight at Donnarumma from the center of the goal, and Xhaka’s strike, which struck the woodwork, as examples of the tiny margins that proved costly.
Pep Guardiola’s side will play Real Madrid in a critical Champions League match on Wednesday (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Regis le Bris’ side will return to league action next Sunday, visiting rivals Newcastle in the Wear-Tyne derby (14:00).
