Manchester City are interested in 20-year-old Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read, with Liverpool and Arsenal also keen on the Netherlands Under-21 international. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Sunderland
Here are some of your comments:
Man City fans
Youssef: We fought, we battled, we won. What a perfect performance by the lads and what a magnificent way to capitalise on Arsenal's loss yesterday and secure ourselves at the top of the table.
Owain: Brilliant going forward but suspect at the back. Sunderland were a credit and gave us a real test. Brian Brobbey will be a very good player in the near future. Thought we were pressurised and our passes went astray too often. We now have three good wide options. I like Enzo Fernandez, and I hope the Semenyo-distracted will leave him alone. Looked very impressive and deserved his player of the match.
Robert: Absolute credit to Sunderland who came to the Etihad to play football and not put 10-men behind the ball. They made this game what it was, very entertaining and worth watching.
Phil: Didn't want to sign Enzo, but what a player. Him and Elliott Anderson were outstanding.
Sunderland fans
Stuart: Although our defending was poor, the way we went toe-to-toe with City and caused them so many problems makes me proud. I think a lot of neutrals will enjoy watching Sunderland this season.
Mason: A swashbuckling approach that took City by surprise. Individual defensive errors cost Sunderland but overall it was a performance which showed they could go toe-to-toe with the best. Cut out those mistakes and it will soon click.
Mark: Another incredibly spirited display - my goodness, this team has character. The results will come.
David: Can't believe Sunderland have only four points - not many teams will come to the Etihad and score three! They have got the verve, commitment and fire-power to have a really good season. Keep trying, Mackems!
Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter
Arsenal's stunning loss at Brighton on Saturday opened the door for Manchester City and they took full advantage.
They are the only side in England's top four divisions with a 100% winning record intact, and they are three points clear at the top.
Enzo Maresca has become only the sixth Premier League manager to win his first five Premier League games in charge at a club after Carlo Ancelotti, Craig Shakespeare, Maurizio Sarri and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - and Pep Guardiola when he took over at City in 2016.
On the pitch there were plenty of positives to take too, including the return to form of Antoine Semenyo with two goals and an assist, Rayan Cherki's delightful performance and Enzo Fernandez scoring his first goal for the club.
Meanwhile, striker Erling Haaland's late effort means the Norwegian ticked off Sunderland from his scoring list - he has now netted against all 25 Premier League teams he has faced.
It means City have put pressure on Arsenal in the early stages of the campaign, with the Gunners previously being tipped as heavy favourites to retain their crown.
City, though, will undergo a stern examination upon their return to action after the three-week international hiatus, facing a trip to unbeaten Liverpool on 11 October.
Former Reds midfielder Charlie Adam described it as a "brilliant start to the season" for City, adding on BBC Radio 5 Live: "A lot to work on but [positive] to score five goals at home and have shown that level of performance."
Former Sunderland and current Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle after Sunday's 5-3 win over the Black Cats: "We knew if we controlled them as much as we can we could get the three points.
"It wasn't easy. They made it very, very tough for us.
"We're building a culture and still adjusting, but we're all happy. It's togetherness and sticking together.
"The message from the manager is to win and be at the top of the table by the end of the game."
On netting twice against his former side, he added: "It's crazy. It's so long since I played for them, but happy to win."
Hit play above to hear more from Semenyo or listen on BBC Sounds here
Manchester City, Liverpool, Fulham and Tottenhamare among several Premier League clubs monitoring 24-year-old Venezuela and Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Man City starting XI:
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Could do little about any of Sunderland's goals but all over the place when coming out for high balls into the box. 5
Matheus Nunes: Was napping when a ball came over the top, allowing Angulo to sneak in behind and lay a pass off for Brian Brobbey to finish. 5
Ruben Dias: Not the captain's best game. Caught flat-footed for Brobbey's opening goal and beaten to the ball in the middle of the park on another occasion. Did make a remarkable goalline clearance to prevent an own goal. 5
Marc Guehi: Will have an assist alongside his name but an otherwise uncomfortable afternoon for the England international. 5
Josko Gvardiol: Failed to close down Enzo le Fee for Sunderland's second goal but provided the cross for Erling Haaland's goal. 6
Elliot Anderson: The former Newcastle man was jeered throughout by the travelling Sunderland fans, but made more passes than any other player on the pitch. 6
Enzo Fernandez: Curled in a delightful free-kick for his first City goal and the crafty Argentine saw plenty of the ball in the pockets outside the box. Becoming a fans' favourite with the "Enzo, Enzo" chant. 7
Iliman Ndiaye: Started in place of the suspended Phil Foden and was lively throughout. Unlucky not to get an assist after laying a ball on to Erling Haaland with the goal gaping. 6
Antoine Semenyo: Back in form. Twice thumped home for his first goals of the season and kept the ball alive to poke through a pass for Rayan Cherki's goal. 9
Rayan Cherki: Near his best in this game with some delightful touches. Quick feet and trickery helped create City's opener, and stayed cool to stroke home City's second goal in the first half. 8
Erling Haaland: Sunderland had been the only Premier League team the Norwegian had not scored against. Looked like staying that way when he missed an easy opportunity in the first half but he ended that run with a finish late on. 6
Man City substitutes:
Jeremy Doku (on 74, Ndiaye): Returned from a calf injury for his first league minutes this season. 6
Nico O'Reilly (on 85, Cherki): Should have scored second after coming on. 6
Subs not used:
Rulli, Kovacic, Ait-Nouri, Bouaddi, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca speaking to Sky Sports post-match: "Sunderland are a very good team. They're strong and dangeorus, but again we found a way to win the game."
On it being a bonkers game to watch: "Not for us! In the press conference before the game I said I expect a very tough game. Then we also conceded two or three goals but again. We have learnt a lot in these eight weeks and this is good."
On how much he's learnt in his first few weeks as City boss: "As a manager you try always to learn. No matter if you win, lose or draw. You always review the game and see what you can do better. And today I think there were many things we could have done better but it's all a learning process."
On what they can do better: "Many things, I think we have played seven games, and they have all been different but that's also good, so we can learn from all of them. All the games require different things."
On the high score line: "Too many goals, I prefer 1-0 it's much better."
Listen to Maresca and Antoine Semenyo speaking to BBC Radio Manchester here
Did you know?
Manchester City led 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 in the first half, making it only the seventh match in Premier League history to see a team take the lead on three separate occasions in the first half alone, and first since Brentford against Wolves in October 2024.
Erling Haaland has now scored against all 25 Premier League teams he has faced.
Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesFive wins from five in the league, 13 goals scored and victories in Europe and the Carabao Cup too. On the face of it, things could hardly be going better for Manchester City early on in this post-Pep Guardiola era.
When a legendary figure leaves the club after a prolonged period of success, there is always uncertainty as to what comes next – and despite a string of such positive results, that remains the case.
Against Sunderland, Enzo Maresca's side were far from convincing for long spells with a defence that had conceded just two league goals coming into the game looking remarkably suspect - the Black Cats registered a whopping 4.25 expected goals.
And yet they come away having scored another five goals with Enzo Fernandez's cheeky free-kick a prime example of their attacking quality.
While there is clearly so much that can be improved upon, such brilliance at the top end of the pitch can get you out of many a hole. That, and the ability to find different ways to win, is a pretty good place from which to build.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Manchester City's performance
What did you make of Sunderland's display?
Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.
There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Bournemouth v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Leeds United v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2
Manchester City v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Fulham v Manchester United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.
Follow all of the action and reaction here
How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Liverpool" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Sunderland match", for example.
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Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
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Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.
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Sunderland are a really good team and, on their day, they are more than a match for anyone.
The Black Cats are strong and robust, and when they get after teams and press you then they are phenomenal.
All of that makes me think this is a really hard game for Manchester City.
Their derby victory was a brilliant win, and Enzo Maresca's biggest result as their manager so far with the way they did it.
Iliman Ndiaye showed what a good signing he is when he came on for Rayan Cherki in the second half at Old Trafford, in terms of offering a different profile.
Cherki's more of an inside forward, as a number 10 or playing narrow, and he's a guy you think you couldn't get the ball off in a telephone box.
Ndiaye, though, will do more work going back and is also more of a ball carrier, so he was exactly what City needed when they went a man down.
Manchester United can feel hard done by because City's winner should have been disallowed, but the visitors were the better team with 10 men.
This will be a very different task for Maresca's men, with the emphasis on them breaking down the Black Cats, but I don't feel it will just be one-way traffic.
I still think City will find a way, though, and they need to for the sake of the title race. They already seem to be the only team capable of keeping pace with Arsenal.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City will look to maintain their 100% league record under Enzo Maresca when they welcome Sunderland to Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Maresca's tenure got off to a wobbly start with the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal, but his troops have rallied to ensure they are level on points with the table-topping Gunners at this early stage, trailing only on goal difference.
In fact, the Italian is aiming to become just the sixth manager to win his first five Premier League games in charge of a club.
The Blues, last season's runners-up, are on a mightily impressive run of league form, having lost just two of their past 30 matches, winning 20 and drawing eight.
Their record at home to the Black Cats is also enviable. City are unbeaten in all 14 of their Premier League home games against Sunday's opposition, winning 12 of those encounters. Sunderland's last league win in this fixture came at Maine Road in the second tier in January 1998.
Sterling Erling
Erling Haaland, Golden Boot winner in three of his four campaigns in England, is already the pace-setter for this season's prize with four goals. Sunderland, however, are the only top-flight team he has faced without scoring.
The Norwegian has scored in eight of his past nine league appearances, netting nine goals. In two games against the Black Cats, he had had three shots with an xG of 0.75 without finding the net. Don't bet against him breaking his duck on Sunday.
Stadium of delight
Juggling Sunderland's European commitments with their domestic schedule was always going to be one of the biggest tasks facing Regis le Bris this season.
Having got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start against AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday – the club's first game in continental competition since 1973 – the Black Cats must focus on climbing the Premier League table after an unconvincing start.
Four points from four games has them sitting 14th, and history suggests this won't be the fixture to propel them up the table. The Black Cats haven't won any of their past 17 top-flight games against teams starting the day in the top two, losing 13 and drawing four.
Couple that with the fact they are winless in nine league games against Manchester City – since a 1-0 home victory under Gus Poyet in November 2013 – and it looks like a tall order for Le Bris' side to head back to Wearside with all three points.
Something for Sunderland to cling to, however, is the fact they have scored in each of their past eight league away games, their best run of scoring on the road in this competition since another run of eight in 2015-16.
The atmosphere at the Stadium of Light against AZ was electric and Le Bris is keen for that feelgood factor to continue. It is a demanding schedule for his squad, though they will have an extra day's rest over City, who battered Norwich 5-0 in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
"It is a tough week but it is exactly what we want to do," the Frenchman said.
Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Etihad Stadium (14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Maresca said Jeremy Doku, who has been absent with a calf injury since the Community Shield, can "probably be available for the Sunderland game".
He was asked about the benefits of heavily rotating his starting XI for Thursday's Carabao Cup win over Norwich: "It was very important. We gave rest to the ones that played back-to-back 90 minutes against Porto and Manchester United. It was important for them to give them rest and hopefully they can be full of energy for Sunday's game as it will be a strong game."
Asked why he has started so well as City boss, Maresca said: First of all, the players. The main thing when you join a new club is you can see that the players understand what the manager wants. I can see day by day, game by game, even with many changes, it's very clear for them what we want."
On whether being at the club before has helped him: "People inside the building, for sure, [but] the players are a completely different squad - there are three or four players from my last season here. I spend my days with the players so it's something new. I'm happy because I can see that we're improving."
On the pressure of succeeding Pep Guardiola: "When I decided to join the club, I was quite sure that the club is a good club and the players are good players. At the same time, I knew that the club was in a moment of change after 10 years with the same manager and Rodri, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Nathan Ake [also leaving]. It's normal that there is a change, but at the same time, I'm quite confident that we can do a good job."
On Sunday's opponents Sunderland: "I watched the game live against Arsenal and then I watched it again in the past few days. You can see how strong they are. I think they didn't deserve to lose that game. They are very strong, very well coached by their manager and they have already had time together, so you can see what they want to do on and off the ball. My feeling, after watching them, is that Sunday will be the toughest game since the start of the season."
On the upcoming extended international break: "During the international break, I always used to review all the previous games and analyse what we can do better - these kind of things. But because we have three weeks, I have time enough to watch back all the games."
Hear more from Maresca above or on BBC Sounds here
Listen to live commentary of Man City v Sunderland on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra or BBC Sounds
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Got a question about Man City? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views after Manchester City's 5-0 win over Norwich in the Carabao Cup.
Here are some of your comments:
Harry: Samba showed far more than I would have ever expected him to. I think his experience as a midfielder showed in spades, he could handle the physicality and exhibited brilliant hold-up play. Well done to the lad - proper Manchester City debut to be proud of.
Terence: Samba had a good debut, very lively and two well-taken goals. Should get more minutes in the first team after that performance.
Wayne: What a ray of light Samba was and a proud moment for a very talented footballing family.
MCFC Daily: Semenyo on Sunderland game. Manchester City. Audio, 2 minutes
News and views on City in two minutes. Weekdays, 5pm.
Maresca: 'We always try to be ourselves' Manchester City. Audio, 5 minutes
Enzo Maresca and Antoine Semenyo after winning a 5-3 thriller at home to Sunderland.
Jeglertz: 'The players keep believing.' Manchester City. Audio, 3 minutes
Andrée Jeglertz speaks after his City side scored late to win 4-2 over Liverpool.
Maresca: Sunderland 'toughest game' so far. Manchester City. Audio, 9 minutes
Enzo Maresca speaks after the Norwich win and looks ahead to Sunderland on Sunday.
