Manchester City

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has supported Phil Foden's red card in the Manchester derby - but on a split 3:2 vote.

The Manchester City midfielder was shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver in the 23rd minute for kicking out at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Two panellists "felt that the action lacked the force to reach the threshold for a red card, and would have preferred a yellow".

The KMI panel unanimously supported no video assistant referee (VAR) intervention.

Fernandes - who initially appeared to kick Foden, leading to retaliation - escaped with no disciplinary action.

The decision not to show the Portugal midfielder a red card was backed by a 5:0 vote, both on-field and through VAR.

All KMI panel members "felt that a yellow card would have been the appropriate punishment".

City won the game 1-0 through a controversial Erling Haaland goal in the 60th minute, which was awarded after a VAR intervention.

Haaland was given offside by the assistant referee's flag, with VAR Matt Donohue finding that the Norway forward was actually onside.

However, referees' chief Howard Webb admitted that the VAR did not even consider whether Enzo Fernandez was offside when he attempted to head the ball just before Haaland scored.

The KMI panel unanimously felt that the VAR intervention to award the goal was incorrect.

"Fernandez is in an offside position, attempts to play the ball that is close to him, and impacts the ability of the defender and the goalkeeper to play the ball in the process," the panel noted.

"A VAR review should have been recommended for a missed subjective offside in the attacking possession phase."

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Former Manchester City captain Paul Lake believes Erling Haaland is "right up there" as the best signing in the history of the club.

The 26-year-old - who completed a £51.2m transfer to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in June 2022 - has scored 169 goals in 209 games during his time at Etihad Stadium.

The Norway forward has also committed his long-term future to the club, having penned a new contract in January 2025 which is due to expire in 2034.

"When you think about players of the past, some will refer to the likes of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee or Francis Lee from back in the day, but others will go right the way through to the present times of Sergio Aguero.

"But Erling Haaland is certainly a player who has become so reliable and so consistent as time has progressed.

"When he first came to Manchester City, he bigged himself up to a point and he just seemed to get it from the off. He got the fans, he had that humility and he possessed that tenacity.

"It's quite a daunting thing to experience opposition players thinking: 'We're up against this guy' every single game, but that just shows how much of a threat he is in terms of pace, power and intelligence.

"If you give him a chance, the likelihood is that he scores - despite often playing off scraps.

"The way he speaks about the club and his team-mates shows he isn't negative or overly critical. Everyone knows that when he turns up, he is 100%.

"He talks about scoring goals being his 'job' but to do it in this day and age, while playing against world-class opposition, is something to behold."

Listen to the full discussion below or listen on BBC Sounds

Manchester City are interested in 20-year-old Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read, with Liverpool and Arsenal also keen on the Netherlands Under-21 international. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Sunderland

Here are some of your comments:

Man City fans

Youssef: We fought, we battled, we won. What a perfect performance by the lads and what a magnificent way to capitalise on Arsenal's loss yesterday and secure ourselves at the top of the table.

Owain: Brilliant going forward but suspect at the back. Sunderland were a credit and gave us a real test. Brian Brobbey will be a very good player in the near future. Thought we were pressurised and our passes went astray too often. We now have three good wide options. I like Enzo Fernandez, and I hope the Semenyo-distracted will leave him alone. Looked very impressive and deserved his player of the match.

Robert: Absolute credit to Sunderland who came to the Etihad to play football and not put 10-men behind the ball. They made this game what it was, very entertaining and worth watching.

Phil: Didn't want to sign Enzo, but what a player. Him and Elliott Anderson were outstanding.

Sunderland fans

Stuart: Although our defending was poor, the way we went toe-to-toe with City and caused them so many problems makes me proud. I think a lot of neutrals will enjoy watching Sunderland this season.

Mason: A swashbuckling approach that took City by surprise. Individual defensive errors cost Sunderland but overall it was a performance which showed they could go toe-to-toe with the best. Cut out those mistakes and it will soon click.

Mark: Another incredibly spirited display - my goodness, this team has character. The results will come.

David: Can't believe Sunderland have only four points - not many teams will come to the Etihad and score three! They have got the verve, commitment and fire-power to have a really good season. Keep trying, Mackems!

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Arsenal's stunning loss at Brighton on Saturday opened the door for Manchester City and they took full advantage.

They are the only side in England's top four divisions with a 100% winning record intact, and they are three points clear at the top.

Enzo Maresca has become only the sixth Premier League manager to win his first five Premier League games in charge at a club after Carlo Ancelotti, Craig Shakespeare, Maurizio Sarri and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - and Pep Guardiola when he took over at City in 2016.

On the pitch there were plenty of positives to take too, including the return to form of Antoine Semenyo with two goals and an assist, Rayan Cherki's delightful performance and Enzo Fernandez scoring his first goal for the club.

Meanwhile, striker Erling Haaland's late effort means the Norwegian ticked off Sunderland from his scoring list - he has now netted against all 25 Premier League teams he has faced.

It means City have put pressure on Arsenal in the early stages of the campaign, with the Gunners previously being tipped as heavy favourites to retain their crown.

City, though, will undergo a stern examination upon their return to action after the three-week international hiatus, facing a trip to unbeaten Liverpool on 11 October.

Former Reds midfielder Charlie Adam described it as a "brilliant start to the season" for City, adding on BBC Radio 5 Live: "A lot to work on but [positive] to score five goals at home and have shown that level of performance."

Read more here

Former Sunderland and current Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle after Sunday's 5-3 win over the Black Cats: "We knew if we controlled them as much as we can we could get the three points.

"It wasn't easy. They made it very, very tough for us.

"We're building a culture and still adjusting, but we're all happy. It's togetherness and sticking together.

"The message from the manager is to win and be at the top of the table by the end of the game."

On netting twice against his former side, he added: "It's crazy. It's so long since I played for them, but happy to win."

Hit play above to hear more from Semenyo or listen on BBC Sounds here

Manchester City, Liverpool, Fulham and Tottenhamare among several Premier League clubs monitoring 24-year-old Venezuela and Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Man City starting XI:

Gianluigi Donnarumma: Could do little about any of Sunderland's goals but all over the place when coming out for high balls into the box. 5

Matheus Nunes: Was napping when a ball came over the top, allowing Angulo to sneak in behind and lay a pass off for Brian Brobbey to finish. 5

Ruben Dias: Not the captain's best game. Caught flat-footed for Brobbey's opening goal and beaten to the ball in the middle of the park on another occasion. Did make a remarkable goalline clearance to prevent an own goal. 5

Marc Guehi: Will have an assist alongside his name but an otherwise uncomfortable afternoon for the England international. 5

Josko Gvardiol: Failed to close down Enzo le Fee for Sunderland's second goal but provided the cross for Erling Haaland's goal. 6

Elliot Anderson: The former Newcastle man was jeered throughout by the travelling Sunderland fans, but made more passes than any other player on the pitch. 6

Enzo Fernandez: Curled in a delightful free-kick for his first City goal and the crafty Argentine saw plenty of the ball in the pockets outside the box. Becoming a fans' favourite with the "Enzo, Enzo" chant. 7

Iliman Ndiaye: Started in place of the suspended Phil Foden and was lively throughout. Unlucky not to get an assist after laying a ball on to Erling Haaland with the goal gaping. 6

Antoine Semenyo: Back in form. Twice thumped home for his first goals of the season and kept the ball alive to poke through a pass for Rayan Cherki's goal. 9

Rayan Cherki: Near his best in this game with some delightful touches. Quick feet and trickery helped create City's opener, and stayed cool to stroke home City's second goal in the first half. 8

Erling Haaland: Sunderland had been the only Premier League team the Norwegian had not scored against. Looked like staying that way when he missed an easy opportunity in the first half but he ended that run with a finish late on. 6

Man City substitutes:

Jeremy Doku (on 74, Ndiaye): Returned from a calf injury for his first league minutes this season. 6

Nico O'Reilly (on 85, Cherki): Should have scored second after coming on. 6

Subs not used:

Rulli, Kovacic, Ait-Nouri, Bouaddi, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca speaking to Sky Sports post-match: "Sunderland are a very good team. They're strong and dangeorus, but again we found a way to win the game."

On it being a bonkers game to watch: "Not for us! In the press conference before the game I said I expect a very tough game. Then we also conceded two or three goals but again. We have learnt a lot in these eight weeks and this is good."

On how much he's learnt in his first few weeks as City boss: "As a manager you try always to learn. No matter if you win, lose or draw. You always review the game and see what you can do better. And today I think there were many things we could have done better but it's all a learning process."

On what they can do better: "Many things, I think we have played seven games, and they have all been different but that's also good, so we can learn from all of them. All the games require different things."

On the high score line: "Too many goals, I prefer 1-0 it's much better."

Listen to Maresca and Antoine Semenyo speaking to BBC Radio Manchester here

Did you know?

• Manchester City led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 in the first half, making it only the seventh match in Premier League history to see a team take the lead on three separate occasions in the first half alone, and first since Brentford against Wolves in October 2024.

• Erling Haaland has now scored against all 25 Premier League teams he has faced.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Five wins from five in the league, 13 goals scored and victories in Europe and the Carabao Cup too. On the face of it, things could hardly be going better for Manchester City early on in this post-Pep Guardiola era.

When a legendary figure leaves the club after a prolonged period of success, there is always uncertainty as to what comes next – and despite a string of such positive results, that remains the case.

Against Sunderland, Enzo Maresca's side were far from convincing for long spells with a defence that had conceded just two league goals coming into the game looking remarkably suspect - the Black Cats registered a whopping 4.25 expected goals.

And yet they come away having scored another five goals with Enzo Fernandez's cheeky free-kick a prime example of their attacking quality.

While there is clearly so much that can be improved upon, such brilliance at the top end of the pitch can get you out of many a hole. That, and the ability to find different ways to win, is a pretty good place from which to build.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Manchester City's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Manchester City v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Manchester United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Sunderland are a really good team and, on their day, they are more than a match for anyone.

The Black Cats are strong and robust, and when they get after teams and press you then they are phenomenal.

All of that makes me think this is a really hard game for Manchester City.

Their derby victory was a brilliant win, and Enzo Maresca's biggest result as their manager so far with the way they did it.

Iliman Ndiaye showed what a good signing he is when he came on for Rayan Cherki in the second half at Old Trafford, in terms of offering a different profile.

Cherki's more of an inside forward, as a number 10 or playing narrow, and he's a guy you think you couldn't get the ball off in a telephone box.

Ndiaye, though, will do more work going back and is also more of a ball carrier, so he was exactly what City needed when they went a man down.

Manchester United can feel hard done by because City's winner should have been disallowed, but the visitors were the better team with 10 men.

This will be a very different task for Maresca's men, with the emphasis on them breaking down the Black Cats, but I don't feel it will just be one-way traffic.

I still think City will find a way, though, and they need to for the sake of the title race. They already seem to be the only team capable of keeping pace with Arsenal.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

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