---
title: "Man City player ratings v Sunderland: Semenyo superb as City win eight-goal thriller"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/09/20/man-city-sunderland-match-report-ratings-2026/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Man City News"
published: "2026-09-20T15:53:14Z"
modified: "2026-09-20T15:56:52Z"
---

# Man City player ratings v Sunderland: Semenyo superb as City win eight-goal thriller

[**City**](https://readmancity.com/) **made it five Premier League wins from five under Enzo Maresca with a remarkable 5-3 victory over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium.**

Antoine Semenyo scored twice, while Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland were also on target. Brian Brobbey’s hat-trick kept Sunderland in the contest until Haaland finally settled it nine minutes from time.

## Man City player ratings against Sunderland

[**Gianluigi Donnarumma**](https://readmancity.com/squad/gianluigi-donnarumma/) **– 6/10:** Beaten three times on an uncomfortable afternoon for City’s defence. Brobbey took his chances well and there was little Donnarumma could do about the finishes.

**Matheus Nunes – 6/10:** Got forward regularly from right-back but Sunderland found space when City lost the ball. Had some difficult moments defensively.

**Ruben Dias – 6/10:** Brobbey gave him a proper examination with his strength and movement. City rarely looked secure at the back and Dias had a busier afternoon than he would have wanted.

**Marc Guehi – 6/10:** Comfortable in possession but found Sunderland much harder to deal with when they attacked quickly. Brobbey ensured neither City centre-back had an easy afternoon.

**Josko Gvardiol – 6.5/10:** Offered plenty on the left and was willing to get forward. Better going towards Sunderland’s goal than defending his own.

**Enzo Fernandez – 8/10:** Opened the scoring after nine minutes with a clever free-kick and continued to influence the game from midfield. One of City’s better performers amid the chaos around him.

**Elliot Anderson – 7/10:** Had plenty of ground to cover in a game that became increasingly open. Stuck to his task and kept looking for the ball.

**Iliman Ndiaye – 7.5/10:** His movement caused Sunderland problems and he provided the pass for Semenyo’s second. Another useful contribution without getting on the scoresheet himself.

**Rayan Cherki – 8/10:** Put City 2-1 ahead with a smart finish after 29 minutes and remained dangerous when he found pockets of space. Sunderland struggled to pick him up.

**Antoine Semenyo – 9/10 (Man of the Match):** City’s best player. His first goal put them back ahead just before the break and his second made it 4-2. Two excellent finishes at exactly the moments City needed them.

**Erling Haaland – 8/10:** Sunderland kept him relatively quiet for long periods, but he still found a way onto the scoresheet. His 81st-minute goal, confirmed after a VAR check, finally put an extraordinary game to bed.

[LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments](https://dave.sport/live/premier-league-2026-2027-season-updates/)