Manchester City answered Sunderland’s parked bus with a pair of center back goals before a sensational play put the finishing touches on a 3-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
MORE — Guardiola on win, Cherki assist, Lionel Messi greatness
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol scored in the first half and Phil Foden headed home from Rayan Cherki’s rabona cross to make it 3-0 in the second half before Luke O’Nien’s stoppage-time red card further lowered the vibes for Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats.
WATCH — Manchester City v Sunderland full match replay
The win boosts City into second place, a point better than Aston Villa and more importantly two behind table-topping Arsenal.
Sunderland are now seventh with 23 points, one more than heated rivals Newcastle United who are set to visit next in the Premier League.
Phil Foden is back and it’s no surprise where that finds Man City
Phil Foden went from Premier League Player of the Year to relative afterthought between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, but the 25-year-old has stepped up at the right time for Man City and it’s not a shock to see Pep Guardiola’s men just two points behind leaders Arsenal. Foden’s up to nine goals and four assists in 19 appearances this season, and his five goals and one assist in the last three games come almost immediately after Guardiola called for more players to join Erling Haaland on the score sheet. This City team is going to need goals for as long as Rodri and Mateo Kovacic demand so much from their midfield depth, and the team is responding with vigor. City have scored multiple goals in their last six Premier League matches and the only dropped points came from a 2-1 loss at Newcastle. Guardiola would prefer comfortable wins but his best bet at that might be to get into boat races and dare teams to open up their back line. Until then, Foden — and Rayan Cherki — are proving that they, too, can unlock packed-in back lines along with — and for — Haaland. Would you laugh at anyone who labels City the Premier League favorites?
What’s next?
Man City go to Real Madrid on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League and then head to Crystal Palace for a 9am ET match on Sunday, December 14.
Sunderland now get a long-awaited home Wear-Tyne derby in the Premier League versus Newcastle United at 9am Sunday, December 14.
Manchester City vs Sunderland final score: 3-0
Ruben Dias 31', Josko Gvardiol 35', Phil Foden 66'
Red card: Luke O’Nien 90+5'
Manchester City vs Sunderland live updates
Luke O’Nien red card
The Sunderland hero is still getting his sea legs back and those legs won’t be involved in the Wear-Tyne derby thanks to a studs-up challenge square into the calf of Matheus Nunes.
That’s it for Haaland and two more
Haaland, Gvardiol, and Foden exit the game with Champions League looming at midweek, replaced by Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Ake, and Omar Marmoush in the 69th minute.
Phil Foden goal — Man City 3-0 Sunderland
Haaland takes the ball at midfield and turns play upfield.
The ball makes its way to the right, where it’s a rabona cross from Rayan Cherki that is thudded home near post by the noggin of Phil Foden.
Elite playmaking from Cherki this half.
Sunderland clear Haaland off the line after Cherki’s ethereal pass
It’s so good from City down the right, as Rayan Cherki dances past, over, and around Sunderland backs to defy logic with a light chipped pass back toward the six.
An airborne Erling Haaland can’t get a lot on his effort but Sunderland do great to clear it off the line and keep this game as in the balance as possible, as the Black Cats have been decent this half.
Donnarumma gets big
Ruben Dias makes a meal of a Phil Foden pass around his box, and Wilson Isidor takes it off him and blasts it toward goal.
Gigio Donnarumma gets big and makes a leg save from point-blank range.
Halftime — Manchester City 2-0 Sunderland
The Black Cats had their moments but really this one feels quite settled at the Etihad Stadium.
Shot attempts are 7-3, possession 67-33, and xG 0.59-0.07.
Josko Gvardiol goal — Man City 2-0 Sunderland
Phil Foden’s soaring corner sees Josko Gvardiola rise easily above Enzo Le Fee — mismatch City — to thud a header down and past Robin Roefs in the 35th minute.
Ruben Dias goal — Man City 1-0 Sunderland
That’s one way to solve a parked bus!
The center back from 30 yards.
More of the same
City are passing the ball around mostly within 20 yards of the 18.
Sunderland have been well-drilled and not budging much.
Sunderland’s packed-in team challenging City
The Etihad is imploring City to score, but nine of Sunderland’s 10 field players have been resolute in their 5-4 shape around and in their own box.
Manchester City lineup
Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo, Foden, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
Sunderland lineup
Roefs, Mukiele, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Sadiki, Xhaka, Traore, Le Fee, Isidor
Manchester City vs Sunderland preview
City have won six-straight league matches at home, delivering a combined score line of 19-4 along the way. They trail leaders Arsenal by five points and boast the top goal total in the division with 32.
Sunderland have been living in the top half of the Premier League table in their first season back in the top flight, their 23 points are just one off the top four.
Regis Le Bris’ team drew Liverpool at Anfield at midweek, and have also drawn Arsenal after winning at Chelsea.
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Mateo Kovacic (ankle), Rodri (hamstring - MORE)
Sunderland team news, focus
OUT: Habib Diarra (groin), Aji Alese (shoulder), Leo Hjelde (achilles)
Manchester City vs Sunderland prediction
It would truly be surprising if Le Bris were to manufacture another upset, especially given City’s record at home combined with the wake-up call they received after nearly blowing a huge lead to Fulham at midweek. Sunderland are a solid team, but this weekend’s a big ask. Man City 2-0 Sunderland.
How to watch Manchester City vs Sunderland live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
