---
title: "Opta numbers reveal concern behind Man City’s perfect Maresca start"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/09/23/opta-man-city-perfect-start-enzo-maresca/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Man City News"
published: "2026-09-23T09:45:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-23T09:45:00Z"
---

# Opta numbers reveal concern behind Man City’s perfect Maresca start

**[City](https://readmancity.com/) have won all five of their Premier League games under Enzo Maresca, although Opta’s latest analysis suggests the results have been better than the underlying numbers.**

City reached the international break three points clear at the top after beating Sunderland 5-3 at the Etihad. It was their seventh successive victory in all competitions and maintained Maresca’s perfect league start.

## Opta numbers question City’s perfect start

Opta’s expected-points model has City second rather than first after five games. Their 15 points are 5.8 more than the model calculates they would normally have collected from the chances created and conceded.

Sunday’s game provided the most obvious example. Sunderland produced 3.57 expected goals according to Opta, the third-highest figure recorded by a losing team in a Premier League match since its records began in 2013/14.

City had kept four successive league clean sheets before Sunderland arrived, but their opponents still accumulated 2.82 xG across those matches.

Maresca was certainly not satisfied with everything he saw on Sunday. “I’m always concerned, always trying to see what we can do better.” The City boss felt two of Sunderland’s goals had been too easy and said his side could have controlled the game and kept possession better.

There is some context to the numbers. City have spent a league-high 52.5 per cent of their playing time in front this season, something Opta notes can influence the pattern of games and the chances opponents create.

Five wins from five have given Maresca everything he could have asked for in terms of points. The figures behind them leave him with rather more to consider during the international break.

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