Manchester City were pushed all the way by Sunderland but came through to win an eight-goal thriller to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

According to bbcsports, Enzo Fernandez put City in front after nine minutes with his first goal since his £125m move from Chelsea, whipping a free-kick in at the near post.

But Sunderland, who had started brightly, soon responded as Enzo le Fee picked out Brian Brobbey with a brilliant pass and the Netherlands striker slipped the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Sunderland remained more than a match for Enzo Maresca’s side but were caught trying to play out from the back and ruthlessly punished as the ball was worked to Rayan Cherki, who finished smartly into the bottom corner.

Again the Black Cats hit back though, with Le Fee splitting the defence again, this time to Thomas Meunier, who unselfishly squared for Brobbey to finish into an empty net.

A lengthy VAR check for offside followed but the goal was given and it was no more than Sunderland deserved.

The visitors dropped off slightly as the first half progressed, allowing City sustained possession in the Sunderland half for the first time.

They retook the lead two minutes from half-time through Antoine Semenyo’s sweetly-struck shot after Sunderland failed to deal with a cross from the right.

For once, Regis le Bris’ team could not muster a quick reply and City should have doubled their lead in first-half injury time only for Erling Haaland to skew his shot wide with the goal gaping after good work by Iliman Ndiaye.

The second half began rather more calmly and City’s fourth came from nothing, and with a little fortune, as Marc Guehi’s pass – intended for Haaland – found its way to Semenyo, who drilled a left-foot shot into the far corner.