Maresca Relieved After Manchester City Edge Out Sunderland In Eight Goal Battle

A Wild Match at the Etihad

Manchester City kept their perfect Premier League start alive with a wild 5-3 victory over Sunderland. The win puts City three points clear at the top of the table. However, manager Enzo Maresca admitted the chaotic match was not ideal for his stress levels.

"To be honest, I prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3, but I expected a very difficult game," Maresca said.

The match was a back and forth affair. Enzo Fernández and Rayan Cherki both scored for City in the first half, but Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey equalised twice. Antoine Semenyo then scored to give City a 3-2 lead at half time.

Penalty Drama and Haaland's Clincher

Semenyo scored again after the break to extend City's lead. Sunderland refused to back down, and Brobbey quickly completed his hat trick to bring the visitors back into the game.

There was controversy when the score was 3-2. Sunderland had a penalty appeal rejected after Elliot Anderson appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area.

City finally secured the three points in the 81st minute. Erling Haaland scored to make it 5-3 and end Sunderland's hopes of a comeback.

This victory means City have won five straight league matches since their Community Shield loss to Arsenal. They also won their opening Champions League match and beat Norwich in the Carabao Cup.

Learning From Different Challenges

Maresca was pleased with how his team managed to secure the victory despite the difficult circumstances. City have faced several different tests in their seven official matches this season.

"I know it was a difficult game, but happy because we found a way to win the game," Maresca said.

He noted that City have experienced different situations, including playing with 10 men against Manchester United and falling 1-0 behind against Bournemouth. Maresca conceded that City could have controlled the game better, noting that at least two of Sunderland's goals were too easy to concede.

Pride for Sunderland Despite Defeat

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris was proud of his players despite the loss. Brobbey's hat trick made him only the sixth player in Premier League history to score three goals and still lose the match.

Le Bris said he was not worried about Brobbey's dry spell before this game. He noted that the 24 year old had shown great signs in training and that his connection with teammates is improving.

"It's a defeat, but we are proud of the level of the squad," Le Bris said. He added that his team created many chances and probably deserved to score more goals against one of Europe's top teams.