STATUS: OFFICIAL — THE MATCH IS FINAL
Manchester City beat Sunderland 5–3 on September 20, 2026 and entered the first international break with a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League. It was City's seventh consecutive victory in all competitions and extended their perfect league start.
Enzo Fernández opened the scoring with a ninth-minute free kick, his first goal for City. Sunderland replied three minutes later through Brian Brobbey before Rayan Cherki restored the hosts' lead.
Brobbey equalised again, but Antoine Semenyo sent City into the interval in front. Semenyo struck again in the 57th minute for 4–2. Brobbey completed his hat-trick to keep the contest alive, becoming Sunderland's first Premier League hat-trick scorer since Jermain Defoe in 2016.
Erling Haaland scored late to complete the 5–3 result. The goal means the Norwegian has now scored against all 25 Premier League clubs he has faced.
OTHER CONFIRMED RESULTS
Liverpool won 1–0 away to Bournemouth through Alexander Isak's 57th-minute goal. They remained unbeaten and moved into sixth place, although their attack created few clear opportunities.
Leeds United and Crystal Palace drew 0–0. Leeds preserved their unbeaten start but missed the chance to climb into third place.
WHAT IS CONFIRMED
The results, scorers and goal times are final. The table positions reflect the standings after the completed September 20 fixtures and may change after the remaining matches.
SOURCES: Reuters, September 20, 2026 — https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/manchester-city-beat-sunderland-humdinger-maintain-100-league-start-2026-09-20/ · Reuters, September 20, 2026 — https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/isak-ignites-lacklustre-liverpool-win-over-bournemouth-2026-09-20/
