Man City 5-3 Sunderland LIVE – City move three points clear of Arsenal

“Take the positives because we played with the identity we want to show. We are getting better, obviously it is not perfect.”

“Defeat but we are proud,” said Sunderland boss Le Bris. “We should’ve scored three or four more.

“At that level against one of the best teams in Europe, mistakes get punished. Probably the lesson of the day.”

The full-time whistle goes and City move three points clear at the top of the table. After four clean sheets in a row, Maresca’s side were certainly leaky at the back today, giving up three cheap goals. Still the five they scored sees them take all three points.

Sunderland have been competitive against both Arsenal last week and City today. This should provide Le Bris’ side with belief once they return from the international break with more favourable fixtures.

Sunderland continue to come forward and there could be yet more goals.

It comes to Ballard just in front of the penalty spot. He sees his side deflected into the post and behind for a corner.

Just seconds after entering the pitch, O’Reilly has a huge chance.

It is played through by Doku, however Roefs makes the save.

Cherki makes way for O’Reilly.

It has been a brilliant performance for the Frenchman, who played a part in almost everything City did going forwards.

After a VAR check the goal is awarded.

In a game with so many goals, Haaland simply had to get in on the act.

Haaland finally has his goal but the flag goes straight up for offside.

Doku plays it in behind for Gvardiol who finds the Norwegian at the back-post. It looks onside and VAR will check.

Meunier makes way for Hume.

Le Bris makes his final substitution as his side continue to chase the game.

Ndiaye is replaced by Doku.

The Belgian winger returns to action for the first time since the Community Shield.

Sunderland go close again from the following corner.

A number of shots come in with Fofana amongst them but City’s players launch themselves in front of the ball and eventually clear.

Donnarumma is beaten from a free-kick crossed into the middle. Dias touches it to take it out of the path of Isidor but sends it heading into his own net.

City’s captain is then able to clear it from the goal-line with an overhead kick, saving himself from an own goal.

Sadiki is replaced by Isidor.

An attacking change from Le Bris, who believes his side can steal something from this game.

Cherki and Fernandez are linking up really nicely in midfield, allowing City to progress the ball with ease.

It eventually comes to Semenyo at the back-post, who cuts it back for Cherki but the Frenchman fires over.

Angulo’s assist is his final act of the game, as he is now withdrawn.

On comes deadline day signing Fofana.

Brobbey has his hat-trick and Sunderland are back in it.

City are caught sleeping after scoring yet again. A long free-kick finds Angulo at the back-post who squares it for Brobbey to finish into an empty net.

Semenyo strikes again to give City a two-goal lead.

It is Cherki once again with a fantastic ball through. The Sunderland defenders attempt to intercept it but cannot, and it finds its way through. Haaland is there too, but leaves it to Semenyo who drills it into the bottom corner.

Cherki plays a great ball in behind for Ndiaye.

However, the winger’s first touch is too heavy and Roefs rushes out to collect the ball ahead of him.

The ball breaks for Sunderland in midfield and Sadiki drives forward.

It opens up for the midfielder just outside the area, but he blasts his effort off target.

Cherki takes the kick off and we are back underway in the second half here.

No changes from either manager so far.

City do lead at the break, despite the best efforts of Brian Brobbey. Sunderland are playing with confidence though and have already proved resilient. The Black Cats were the better side for periods, and this match is far from over.

Nevertheless, City will be glad to be ahead and will feel their advantage could be even greater. They improved as the half wore on, and had the beating of the Sunderland defence by the end of the first period.

Brobbey almost completes a first half hat-trick in bizarre fashion.

He strikes from range but a massive deflection has Donnarumma back-pedalling. It loops up into the air, but the Italian goalkeeper is able to get back and tip it over the crossbar.

City charge forward again and Ndiaye squares it to Haaland, with almost an open net to aim it.

However, off balance, the Norwegian gets it wrong and misses the target.

City lead for a third time in the first half!

Cherki crosses into the middle, where Guehi tries to bring it down. It eventually falls for Semenyo who fires it past Roefs and puts City back in front.