Manchester City survived a stunning Sunderland comeback attempt on Sunday before eventually securing a 5-3 victory and moving to the top of the Premier League.
Eight goals were scored in a frantic contest at the Etihad, with City repeatedly finding a way forward while Sunderland exposed worrying gaps at the other end.
The afternoon also produced a landmark moment for Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentine midfielder, who joined City from Chelsea for £125 million on deadline day, opened his account for the club after only nine minutes.
Fernandez stepped up for a free-kick and produced a curling effort that flew past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs at the near post.
Sunderland quickly showed they would not be overawed.
Three minutes later, Brian Brobbey brought the visitors level. The forward received Enzo Le Fee’s pass before calmly placing his finish beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City restored their advantage in the 29th minute when Rayan Cherki capitalised on poor defending to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
Sunderland hit back again.
Brobbey scored his second of the afternoon after Le Fee and Thomas Meunier combined to create the opening. The goal went through a lengthy VAR review before it was eventually awarded.
With the match becoming increasingly open, City found another breakthrough just before half-time.
Antoine Semenyo collected the ball after Cherki’s pass and fired past Roefs in the 43rd minute. Marc Guehi had stumbled while trying to reach the ball, leaving Semenyo with the opportunity.
The Ghanaian forward then struck again early in the second half.
Cherki supplied another dangerous pass in the 52nd minute, and Semenyo calmly finished to put City 4-2 ahead.
Sunderland refused to surrender.
Brobbey completed his hat-trick only two minutes later. Nilson Angulo’s pass was already heading towards the goal, but Brobbey made sure of it by getting the final touch.
At 4-3, the visitors had renewed hope of producing a remarkable comeback.
City were suddenly under pressure, and Ruben Dias almost made matters worse when he inadvertently sent the ball towards his own goal. The defender recovered and cleared before Sunderland could capitalise.
City finally ended the suspense nine minutes from time.
Erling Haaland found space at the far post and finished with his usual composure to make it 5-3.
It was the Norwegian’s seventh goal in six matches this season and gave City the breathing room they had been searching for.
The victory means City have now won seven consecutive games in all competitions.
They also remain the only Premier League side with a perfect record this season. The result sends them three points clear of champions Arsenal at the top of the table.
For Maresca, the start to his reign has been impressive as he attempts to follow Guardiola, who departed at the end of last season after winning 20 trophies during his time at the club.
City have now scored 13 goals in their opening five league games. Still, the three goals conceded by Sunderland will raise questions about their defensive organisation.
Those concerns could become even more important after the international break, when City face Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
For now, Maresca can enjoy another victory as City sit proudly at the top of the Premier League.
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