Manchester City Go Top as Manchester United Draw at Fulham
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Sunderland, while Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham.
Manchester City took advantage of Arsenal’s defeat to Brighton by moving to the top of the Premier League with a high-scoring 5-3 win over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The match featured eight goals, including a hat-trick from Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey, but City eventually secured all three points.
City Survive Sunderland Challenge
City took the lead when Enzo Fernandez scored from a free-kick, catching Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs out at his near post.
Sunderland quickly responded through Brobbey, who converted a pass from Enzo Le Fee to score his first goal of the afternoon.
City regained the advantage when Rayan Cherki produced a composed finish, but Brobbey struck again just four minutes later to level the contest.
Antoine Semenyo restored City’s lead before half-time and later appeared to put the result beyond doubt with another left-footed finish shortly after the interval.
Sunderland refused to give up, however, and Brobbey completed his hat-trick after Nilson Angulo won a race to a long ball and set up the striker.
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was involved in a couple of nervous moments, while Ruben Dias had to make a crucial clearance off the goal line.
Erling Haaland eventually ended Sunderland’s hopes by scoring City’s fifth goal.
The result also meant Haaland has now scored against every team he has faced in the Premier League.
Maresca Maintains Perfect Start
The victory continued Enzo Maresca’s unbeaten start as Manchester City manager following his appointment as Pep Guardiola’s successor.
Maresca admitted he would have preferred a more comfortable match but acknowledged that Sunderland had provided a difficult test.
City benefited from Arsenal’s 3-0 loss at Brighton on Saturday to move into first place.
Manchester United Held by Fulham
Manchester United missed another opportunity to improve their position after being held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham.
The result leaves United with only five points from their opening five league matches and just two points above the relegation zone.
Fulham moved ahead when a defensive mistake resulted in an own goal by Lisandro Martinez.
United goalkeeper Senne Lammens initially parried Calvin Bassey’s effort, but the ball remained in a dangerous area. Martinez then inadvertently redirected it toward his own goal.
United avoided defeat when Matheus Cunha scored an 89th-minute equaliser, with the ball taking a deflection off David Affengruber before finding the net.
Manager Michael Carrick said the team had wanted to win but viewed the late equaliser as a positive from the match.
Fulham moved off the bottom of the table, with Tottenham Hotspur dropping to last place.
Isak Gives Liverpool Victory
Liverpool returned from Bournemouth with a 1-0 victory, giving manager Andoni Iraola a winning return to his former club.
Iraola received a warm reception from Bournemouth supporters after previously guiding the club into European competition for the first time.
Liverpool produced another closely contested performance but found the decisive goal through Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker converted after Cody Gakpo’s cross fell into his path, scoring his fourth goal of the season.
The win moved Liverpool up to sixth place and within one point of third-placed Brighton.
Leeds Held by Crystal Palace
Leeds United also missed an opportunity to move into third place after being held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at home.
The result left the race near the top of the Premier League tightly contested as teams headed into the international break.
