Man City outgun Sunderland despite Brobbey hat-trick, Liverpool win at Bournemouth
City took advantage of Arsenal's shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday but made life hard for themselves despite taking the lead three times at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City's Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland (2L) celebrates with teammates after scoring their fifth goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 20, 2026. (Photos by AFP)
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MANCHESTER — Brian Brobbey's hat-trick for Sunderland could not prevent Manchester City opening up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a thrilling 5-3 win, while Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Andoni Iraola's return to the south coast.
City took advantage of Arsenal's shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday but made life hard for themselves despite taking the lead three times at the Etihad Stadium.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring with his first goal since equalling the Premier League transfer record with a £125 million ($167 million) move from Chelsea.
Liverpool's Swedish striker #09 Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on September 20, 2026.
The Argentine midfielder's free-kick caught out Robin Roefs at his near post.
Brobbey slotted home Enzo Le Fee's pass for the first of his treble.
Quick feet and a slick finish from Rayan Cherki restored City's advantage, but Brobbey again replied within four minutes at the end of a fine Sunderland move.
Antoine Semenyo smashed City back in front before half-time and thought he had settled the game with another accurate left-footed finish just before the hour mark.
Brobbey completed his hat-trick after Nilson Angulo beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to a ball over the top.
A couple of nervy moments from the Italian goalkeeper nearly led to a Sunderland equaliser as Ruben Dias was forced to clear off his own line.
However, Erling Haaland finally got involved in the goalfest to seal the three points and ensured he has scored against every side he has faced in the Premier League.
Victory extends Enzo Maresca's perfect start to the daunting task of succeeding Pep Guardiola at City boss.
Iraola's winning return
Sunderland's Dutch striker #09 Brian Brobbey celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 20, 2026.
That success led to the Basque being snapped up by Liverpool, but he has endured an up-and-down start at Anfield and needed a victory to ease tensions before a three-week international break.
Liverpool's performance was again far from convincing, but they got the only goal when Cody Gakpo's cross sat up for Alexander Isak to fire in his fourth of the season.
Victory moves Liverpool up to sixth and within a point of third-placed Brighton.
Leeds missed the chance to go third themselves after being held 0-0 at home by Crystal Palace.
Tyrick Mitchell thought he had given Palace the lead in the second half but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.