Man City survive eight-goal Sunderland test

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

No Pep Guardiola. No problem.

At least not yet for Manchester City, who moved clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday with a 5-3 victory over Sunderland.

New coach Enzo Maresca extended his perfect start to the season to five straight wins and heads into the international break with a three-point advantage over defending champions Arsenal, who are second.

But that only tells part of the story of a chaotic encounter at the Etihad Stadium, where City twice surrendered the lead and Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey outshone Erling Haaland with a hat-trick.

In the end, however, it was Haaland who delivered the decisive blow, scoring City’s fifth goal in the 81st minute to end the visitors’ spirited resistance.

Elsewhere, Alexander Isak scored his fourth goal of the season as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0, while Leeds and Crystal Palace played out a goalless draw.

Perfect Enzo

Maresca’s 100 per cent record remains intact after taking on arguably the most daunting job in football when he stepped into Guardiola’s shoes during the summer.

Tasked with extending City’s unprecedented period of success, which has delivered six league titles, a Champions League crown and 17 major trophies, he has made the best possible start in terms of results.

However, City may need to tighten up defensively if they are to end a two-year title drought.

“I would prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3,” Maresca said. “I’m always trying to see what we can do better. Two of the three goals that we concede, they have been too easy.”

Sunderland repeatedly carved City open, scoring three times and creating several other opportunities.

City twice surrendered the lead during the first half before taking a 3-2 advantage into the break.

Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a free kick that curled into the near post, but Brobbey responded quickly after getting behind City’s defence.

Rayan Cherki restored the home side’s lead with a low finish from inside the area before Brobbey equalised for a second time as Sunderland again capitalised on slack defending.

Antoine Semenyo fired a low shot past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs shortly before half-time and added his second in the 57th minute to give City some breathing room.

Brobbey completed his hat-trick by forcing the ball over the line from close range, and Ruben Dias later cleared off the line to prevent the game from being levelled again through an own-goal.

Haaland’s seventh goal in his last five matches avoided a tense finale and ensured City remained clear at the summit following Arsenal’s surprise defeat to Brighton on Saturday.

“It is much better to win games. It is better to have three points more than not, but it is quite early (in the season),” Maresca said.

Isak on target again

It was a winning return to Bournemouth for Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola after leaving the south coast club at the end of last season.

The Spaniard enjoyed three successful seasons at the Vitality Stadium before taking charge at Anfield.

He had Isak to thank for Liverpool’s second league win of the campaign, with the Sweden international producing a composed finish from close range in the 57th minute.

The US$170-million striker endured a difficult first season at Liverpool after injuries disrupted his campaign. However, he has made an impressive start this season, scoring four goals in five league appearances.

Leeds maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Crystal Palace and, after battling relegation last term, sit fifth in the standings.