Maresca unhappy as Man City maintain perfect start in 5-3 Sunderland win
Manchester City remain perfect after five Premier League matches, but Enzo Maresca left the Etihad Stadium unhappy with the three goals Sunderland scored in Saturday’s 5-3 win.
Match facts
| Item | Figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland | Premier League, Etihad Stadium |
| City record | Five wins from five | Only top-flight side with a 100 per cent start |
| Sunderland scorer | Brian Brobbey: 3 goals | Hat-trick for the promoted visitors |
| Next major fixtures | Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain | After the international break |
Maresca said he would take a 1-0 victory over an open eight-goal contest, despite City extending their flawless opening-month run. The Italian felt his side had anticipated a difficult afternoon against aggressive opposition and ultimately found the route to victory.
Antoine Semenyo struck twice for City, with Enzo Fernandez and Rayan Cherki also on the scoresheet. But Brobbey’s treble repeatedly pulled Sunderland back into the match and exposed concerns in the home defence.
City’s manager reserved his sharpest criticism for the set-piece defending. He said two of Sunderland’s goals had been handed to them too cheaply, highlighting Granit Xhaka’s quickly taken free-kick for the second and another free-kick situation for the third.
Maresca added that City gave up further opportunities, although he believed his attack could also have added another two or three goals.
There was praise, however, for the way his players dealt with Sunderland’s physical challenge. Maresca pointed to the importance of competing for second balls and duels against a team he rates highly for its pressing, set-piece threat and attacking options, with Brobbey central to those dangers.
The fifth successive league win also puts Maresca in rare company: he is the sixth manager to win his opening five Premier League games after taking charge of a new club.
City enter the international break three points clear of their closest challengers. The staff will now examine the defensive lapses before a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool and a Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
