Manchester City Destroy Sunderland As Dias Turns Sniper And Cherki Invents A New Pass
Manchester City 3 Sunderland 0: Defenders score, Foden finishes, title race tightens
First half control
Manchester City stayed patient through a slow opening before two unlikely scorers changed the game. Rúben Dias stepped forward and smashed a 25-yard strike into the top corner. Within minutes, Josko Gvardiol rose at the back post and headed in from a Phil Foden corner. Sunderland suddenly had no time to react as City took full control.
Cherki’s moment
The highlight of the afternoon came in the second half. Erling Haaland carried the ball upfield and found Rayan Cherki on the right. The Frenchman reached the byline, checked back, and delivered a stunning rabona cross. Phil Foden’s header flew in off the bar for City’s third. It felt like a finish that ended the contest.
Sunderland’s missed chances
Before that, Sunderland had threatened to get back into the match. Granit Xhaka struck the post from a corner and Enzo Le Fée drilled wide from distance. Gianluigi Donnarumma had to react fast when Wilson Isidor broke through. But every time Sunderland came close, City found a way to avoid danger.
Title race pressure
After recent nervy wins over Leeds and Fulham, City finally produced a calm finish. Arsenal’s slip at Aston Villa opened the door, and Pep Guardiola’s side walked through it. City cut the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points and restored belief before their Champions League trip to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
