Brian Brobbey's hat-trick for Sunderland could not prevent Manchester City from 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.
Maresca's Cityzens extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table 🔵🔝#MCISUN | #SSPremierLeague | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/UfvJLrNg9M
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 20, 2026
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.
The Argentine midfielder's free-kick caught out Robin Roefs at his near post.
Different shade of blue, same Enzo 😏🔵
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 20, 2026
He is settling in nicely at the Etihad 🙌
📺 Stream #MCISUN on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/sKHbOImkEn
Sunderland won their first European match for 53 years against AZ Alkmaar in midweek but showed little sign of tiredness as City could not shake off the Black Cats.
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.
Brian Brobbey 🐈⬛✨
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 20, 2026
He is the first Sunderland player to score twice in the Premier League in nine years 👏
📺 Stream #MCISUN on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/M9Z66Rql0E
Antoine Semenyo smashed City back in front before halftime 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
Iraola was given a warm reception at Bournemouth after leading the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club's history.
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.
Andoni Iraola wins on his return to Bournemouth ✅⚪️#SSFootball | #PremierLeague | #BOULIV pic.twitter.com/4luIB4AjhQ
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 20, 2026
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.
Manchester United aim to give some respite to under-pressure manager Michael Carrick later when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Fulham.
United have taken just four points from their opening four games and were dumped out of the League Cup by Brighton in midweek after surrendering a 2-0 lead at home for the first time in 50 years.