Antoine Semenyo scores double as Manchester City maintain perfect Premier League start

Antoine Semenyo scored twice and provided an assist as Manchester City beat Sunderland 5-3 in a thrilling Premier League encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

The Ghana international was at the heart of City’s attacking display as Enzo Maresca’s side made it five wins from five league matches to move to the top of the Premier League table.

Semenyo struck his first goal shortly before half-time to put City 3-2 ahead after Sunderland had twice responded to City’s early goals.

The forward then found the net again in the second half to extend City’s advantage, having earlier provided the assist for Rayan Cherki’s goal.

Sunderland refused to go quietly, with Brian Brobbey completing a hat-trick to keep the visitors within touching distance. Erling Haaland eventually settled the contest with City’s fifth goal.

The result leaves Manchester City with a perfect 15 points from their opening five league games.

For Semenyo, it was another eye-catching contribution in what has been an encouraging start to life at City.

The 26-year-old now has two goals and three assists in five Premier League appearances, giving him five direct goal involvements in the opening five matches.

His performance against Sunderland underlined his growing importance to a City attack that also includes Haaland and Cherki.

Sunderland’s Brobbey deserves credit for keeping the game alive with three goals, but City’s attacking quality ultimately proved decisive in an eight-goal contest.

With five victories from five, City remain perfect at the summit as the early Premier League title race begins to take shape.