Manchester City’s 5-3 win over Sunderland exposed a chaotic side of Enzo Maresca’s team, who were repeatedly pulled out of shape at the Etihad Stadium despite eventually securing all three points.
City have traditionally been associated with control and territorial dominance, but Sunderland made that difficult from the outset. Maresca acknowledged the problem afterwards, saying: “We want to control but the other team don’t want to allow us.”
The visitors exploited the space behind City’s midfield and defence, attacking with purpose whenever Brian Brobbey held the ball up. The Sunderland forward repeatedly got the better of Ruben Dias, creating room for Enzo Le Fee, Nilson Angulo and Thomas Meunier to join the attack.
Brobbey scored three times and won 10 of the 12 duels he contested, while also drawing five fouls. His physical presence ensured City were unable to settle, particularly when Sunderland pressed man-to-man or went longer.
City’s midfield struggled to contain the contest, with Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez unable to cope with the intensity. The home side conceded an unusual amount of territory and chances, and shipping three goals underlined how far the performance had strayed from the controlled football normally expected.
Yet City found a way to respond. They capitalised on Sunderland’s mistakes and matched their opponents’ directness for long enough to score five goals of their own, producing an imperfect but effective victory.
“I knew how good they are, off the ball very aggressive,” Maresca said of Sunderland after the match. Their pressure may have disrupted City’s usual rhythm, but the hosts’ attacking quality ultimately carried them through one of their most open performances at home.
