Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden have been the scorers as Metropolis beat high-flying Sunderland 3-0 on the Etihad Stadium.
Dias’ spectacular hit from 25 yards – simply his sixth Metropolis objective – broke the impasse deep within the first half earlier than Gvardiol nodded dwelling a second just some minutes later.
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Foden’s fifth objective in per week made the factors secure simply after the hour mark, nodding in a powerful Rayan Cherki rabona cross.
The consequence marks our seventh successive Premier League dwelling win and strikes us inside two factors of leaders Arsenal after 15 video games.
The sport in 250 phrases
Sunderland, arriving in Manchester with a powerful report in opposition to the Premier League’s greatest, set out their stall to frustrate Metropolis from the primary minute, lining up with a again 5 and midfield 4.
With the Black Cats sitting deep and defending stubbornly, the opener got here from the unlikeliest of sources simply over half an hour in.
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Stepping out of defence, Ruben Dias collected the ball 25 yards out and lined up a ferocious strike into the highest nook for a end essentially the most seasoned striker would have been happy with.
The benefit was doubled just some minutes later, with Dias’ extra prolific defensive associate Josko Gvardiol rising highest to nod dwelling a Phil Foden nook.
The guests have been buoyed by the break, with Wilson Isidor pouncing on a lapse in focus earlier than seeing his effort stopped by a robust Donnarumma arm and Granit Xhaka hitting low and exhausting in opposition to the within of the publish lower than 10 minutes in.
Metropolis weathered the storm and had probabilities of our personal, with Jeremy Doku hitting the publish and Erling Haaland having a close-range hook headed off the road.
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The Blues then made it three in beautiful style, with Phil Foden heading in off the bar from an attention-grabbing rabona cross by Rayan Cherki after the No.10 had turned his marker inside out.
Cherki got here inside a whisker of his first dwelling Premier League objective, forcing Robin Roefs right into a diving save low to his proper.
With the factors already safe, the day ended with a pink card for Sunderland substitute Luke O’Nien after a late problem on Matheus Nunes seconds earlier than the ultimate whistle.
Groups
CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol (Ake 69), O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C) (Lewis 82), Foden (Reijnders 69), Cherki (Savinho 81), Doku, Haaland (Marmoush 69)
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Subs: Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Khusanov, Bobb
SUNDERLAND XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume (O’Nien 88), Sadiki (Adingra 72), Xhaka (C) (Mundle 72), Traore (Talbi 56), Le Charge, Isidor (Brobbey 56)
Subs: Patterson, Neil, Rigg, Mayenda
Rayan Cherki – The 22-year-old is trying extra at dwelling within the Premier League with virtually each week that passes.
His linkup play with Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden has sparkled in latest dwelling victories over Bournemouth and Liverpool, however this was maybe his best particular person exhibiting but.
The standout second got here within the construct as much as our third, skipping previous his man, chopping again and flicking a rabona cross onto the top of Foden stood six yards out.
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Foden ran straight to the help maker, in awe of what he had seen.
The No.10 was withdrawn a couple of minutes later to a standing ovation that implies the Etihad trustworthy is hungry for extra.
There was loads of discuss early within the season that Metropolis have been too reliant on the objectives of Erling Haaland.
Whereas there’s no facet on this planet that wouldn’t lean on the prolific Norwegian within the closing third, we’ve discovered the knack in latest weeks of contributing from all areas of the pitch.
Dias and Gvardiol have each now scored twice within the Premier League this time period, with 10 Metropolis gamers in whole discovering the again of the online 15 video games in.
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We received’t come to anticipate hits like this one from Dias each week, however they’re all the time good in opposition to a defence as cussed as Sunderland’s.
Pep Guardiola response
“At the moment perhaps has been among the finest performances of the season for 95 minutes.
“We did good issues in opposition to Fulham within the first half and stopped within the second half. We talked about that and the rationale why. It’s not about particular actions defensively or offensively.
“At the moment, we performed for 90 minutes in opposition to a staff who’ve finished effectively up to now in opposition to prime groups. We concede one probability in the present day however aside from that it was a superb efficiency.
“Within the Premier League we had the sensation that Arsenal are going to drop few factors and if you wish to be there you must win video games and that comes from means you carry out.”
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Cherki response
“It was an awesome sport. We don’t wish to concede objectives and in the present day we didn’t. Excellent day.
“I wish to give the pleasure to others. I wish to play for Phil [Foden], for Omar [Marmoush] and for Erling [Haaland].”
On his help: “It’s my high quality I wish to strive on a regular basis when I’ve the ball. At the moment it was good as a result of it was a superb move for Phil.”
What it means
The victory takes us to 31 factors from our first 15 video games of the 2025/26 Premier League season. We’re second within the desk, simply two factors behind leaders Arsenal.
It additionally continues our glorious latest dwelling type within the Premier League, successful our final seven assignments since dropping to Spurs in August.
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What’s subsequent
The Blues go to Actual Madrid for a 20:00 (UK) kick-off within the Champions League on Wednesday 10 December. With 10 factors from our first 5 video games, we’ll be searching for a constructive consequence to maintain tabs on a prime eight end.
Our subsequent Premier League outing is a visit to Crystal Palace at 14:00 (UK) on Sunday 14 December.
Information about Man Metropolis v Sunderland
Guardiola hails ‘distinctive’ Cherki
Pep Guardiola says he’s delighted with Rayan Cherki’s contribution within the 3-0 win over Sunderland.
Sunderland win was considered one of better of the season – Pep
Pep Guardiola says the 90 minutes in opposition to Sunderland was among the finest performances of the season.
Metropolis 3-0 Sunderland: 2-minute highlights
Watch the important thing moments from Metropolis’s complete dwelling victory over Sunderland…