Antoine Semenyo lashed Manchester City back in front after Brian Brobbey equalised twice for Sunderland and Enzo Fernandez scored a spectacular first goal for Manchester City in a thrilling first half at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday. Argentina international Fernandez, who joined City from Chelsea for �125 million on transfer deadline day, curled in an audacious free-kick from a tight angle in the ninth minute to put the Cityzens on course to move three points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table. Forward Brobbey brought down Enzo Le Fees pass cleverly and slotted in to equalise after 12 minutes, then repeated the trick from Thomas Meunier in the 33rd minute, four minutes after Rayan Cherki had fired the hosts back in front. Sunderlands second was allowed after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee check, with defender Ruben Dias adjudged to have been playing the Black Cats onside. Semenyo then struck from inside the box two minutes before the break, collecting a ricochet after Marc Guehi had been dispossessed to put Enzo Marescas team back in front at half-time. Former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam praised Sunderlands positive play. Their reactions to going behind have been brilliant, Adam told BBC Radio 5 Live.[Brobbeys second was] very close. It was the left boot of Dias keeping him onside.Table of ContentsMan City team vs SunderlandSunderland team vs Manchester CityWhere to watch Man City vs Sunderland: TV channel, live online streamsManchester City vs Sunderland statsMan City team vs SunderlandCity made 10 changes from their win over Norwich, with their only change from their 1-0 win at Manchester United a week earlier an enforced one.Phil Fodens red card in that game meant the playmaker was replaced by winger Iliman Ndiaye. Wideman Jeremy Doku featured in a Premier League squad for the first time this season following injury, starting on the bench.Manchester City:Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, Erling HaalandSubstitutes: Geronimo Rulli, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Nico OReilly, Allan, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rico LewisSunderland team vs Manchester CitySunderland made five changes to their starting side from the win over AZ, bringing in Meunier, Dayann Methalie, Dan Ballard, Nilson Angulo and Brobbey.Left-back Reinildo was banned, with France Under-21 international Methalie making his first Premier League start. Romaine Mundle (knee) and Habib Diarra (hamstring) were sidelined.Wilson Isidor, Omar Alderete, Reinildo, Trai Hume and Malick Fofana moved to the bench.Sunderland: Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Kevin Danso, Dan Ballard, Dayann Methalie, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Thomas Meunier, Enzo Le Fee, Nilson Angulo, Brian BrobbeySubstitutes: MelkerEllborg, Trai Hume, Luke ONien, Omar Alderete, Jules Ahoka, Chris Rigg, Chemsdine Talbi, Malick Fofana, Wilson IsidorWhere to watch Man City vs Sunderland: TV channel, live online streamsKick-off on Sunday was at 14:00 BST (09:00 ET / 06:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.Streaming is via Sky Go, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the move.Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs �14.99 for a day membership, �27.99 a month for a 12-month membership or �34.99 a month with no contract.Heres the full list of Premier League broadcasters in different territories.Manchester City vs Sunderland statsCity are unbeaten in all 14 of their Premier League home games against Sunderland (W12 D2), with their last such league defeat against the Black Cats in the second tier in January 1998 (1-0)They have previously started a top-flight season with five straight wins in 1912/13 (as part of a run of five victories), 2015/16 (5), 2016/17 (6) and 2023/24 (6)Despite losing Foden during the first half, City won 1-0 against Man Utd on matchday four last Sunday for their 24th Premier League win despite receiving a red card, with only Arsenal (38) and Man Utd (25) achieving the feat more timesMaresca could become the sixth manager to win his first five Premier League games in charge of a club, after Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea (6), Pep Guardiola at Man City (6), Craig Shakespeare at Leicester (5), Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea (5) and Ole Gunnar Solskjr at Man United (6)With two defeats in their last 30 Premier League matches (W20 D8), Citys total of 68 points is the joint-most of any side since the start of that run on 29 November last year, level with ArsenalSunderland are winless in nine Premier League games against Manchester City (D2 L7) since a 1-0 home win in November 2013 under Gus PoyetThey have scored in each of their last eight away Premier League matches, which is their best run of scoring away from home in the top flight since a run of eight between November and February in the 2015/16 season, last having a longer run between April and October 1956 (10)Since a 2-1 win at Chelsea in April 2014, Sunderland are winless in 17 Premier League games against teams starting the day in the top-two (D4 L13)Erling Haaland has scored in eight of his last nine appearances for a total of nine goals but Sunderland remain the only team he hasnt scored against in the Premier League, having three shots with an expected goals total of 0.75 without finding the net in two games against the Black CatsEnzo Le Fee has six goals, six assists and has taken six penalties in the Premier League for Sunderland, making the midfielder one of two players to have scored more than once in the competition and have the same totals for goals, assists and penalties, along with Gary McSheffrey (3 each) Topics Erling Haaland Jeremy Doku Josko Gvardiol Manchester City F.C. Phil Foden Premier League Ruben Dias Sunderland A.F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Manchester City v Sunderland LIVE: Haaland ends drought to put hosts 5-3 ahead Jon Fisher 20th September, 2026 Fulham vs Manchester United: Confirmed teams and line ups Ben Miller 20th September, 2026 Bournemouth v Liverpool LIVE: Commentary, updates, goals and stats Jon Fisher 20th September, 2026 Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Brilliant Gakpo run sets up Isak goal Ben Miller 20th September, 2026 Man City vs Sunderland live: Confirmed teams and full line ups Ben Miller 20th September, 2026 Bournemouth vs Liverpool live: Confirmed teams and full line ups Ben Miller 20th September, 2026
