Manchester City capitalised on Arsenal’s slip-up by comfortably beating Sunderland 3-0 at the Etihad, cutting the gap at the top of the Premier League table to just two points.
After struggling initially against Sunderland’s low block, City took control with two quick first-half goals from their centre-backs.
Rúben Dias opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a spectacular 30-yard thunderbolt, followed four minutes later by a Joško Gvardiol header from a Phil Foden corner.
Phil Foden netted the third goal in the 65th minute, finishing off a brilliant move set up by a sublime ‘rabona’ assist from Rayan Cherki, who was named Player of the Match.
Sunderland came close to scoring through Wilson Isidor and Granit Xhaka, who hit the post, but the match ended badly for them when Luke O’Nien was sent off late in injury time following a VAR review for a studs-high challenge.
The routine victory gives City significant momentum as they prepare for a crucial Champions League fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
