Manchester City beat Sunderland 5-3 at the Etihad Stadium.

The Premier League clash between Manchester City and Sunderland unfolded on 20 September 2026 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Both sides entered the match intent on securing three points, and the game delivered an eight-goal spectacle in front of a vocal home crowd.

How it unfolded

The opening stages were eventful, with Sunderland’s Dayann Methalie receiving a yellow card in the 8th minute for a bad foul. Just a minute later, Manchester City took the lead when Enzo Fernández converted a free-kick, sending a right-footed shot to the top right corner (9’). Sunderland responded swiftly; Brian Brobbey equalised in the 12th minute, finishing a right-footed strike from the centre of the box after a through ball from Enzo Le Fée (12’).

Manchester City reclaimed the advantage before the half-hour mark when Rayan Cherki scored in the 29th minute, directing a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Antoine Semenyo (29’). Sunderland levelled again just four minutes later as Brobbey netted his second of the afternoon, this time a right-footed finish from the centre of the box after a Thomas Meunier pass, a goal confirmed following a VAR review (33’).

The home side surged forward again before the break, with Antoine Semenyo heading in a corner from Marc Guéhi to make it 3-2 in the 43rd minute (43’). After the interval, Semenyo doubled his tally for City, curling a left-footed shot from the left side of the box into the bottom right corner in the 57th minute (57’). Sunderland kept the contest tight as Brobbey completed his hat-trick, tapping in from very close range after a Nilson Angulo assist in the 59th minute (59’).

Manchester City sealed the win late on, with Erling Haaland finishing a right-footed close-range effort in the 81st minute, set up by Josko Gvardiol, a goal also upheld after VAR review (81’). The final whistle confirmed a 5-3 triumph for the home side.

Standout performers

  • Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) – two goals, one assisted by Marc Guéhi, and the provider for Rayan Cherki’s strike.
  • Brian Brobbey (Sunderland) – a hat-trick, with assists from Enzo Le Fée, Thomas Meunier and Nilson Angulo.
  • Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – added the decisive fifth goal, assisted by Josko Gvardiol.
  • Enzo Fernández (Manchester City) – opened the scoring from a free kick.

Match facts

  • Final score: Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland
  • Scorers:
    • Manchester City – Enzo Fernández (9’), Rayan Cherki (29’), Antoine Semenyo (43’, 57’), Erling Haaland (81’)
    • Sunderland – Brian Brobbey (12’, 33’, 59’)
  • Bookings: Dayann Methalie (Sunderland) – yellow card (8’)
  • Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

What it means

The eight-goal encounter gave Manchester City a comprehensive home win, while Sunderland’s three-goal haul highlighted their attacking potential despite the defeat. Both clubs will reflect on the performances as they continue their Premier League campaigns.