Premier League: Cunha rescues Man United, Man City survive Sunderland scare
Manchester United were spared a third defeat of the week as Matheus Cunha’s late deflected strike earned them a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Manchester City, meanwhile, maintained their perfect start under Enzo Maresca with a chaotic 5-3 win over Sunderland.
United looked set to head into the international break under further pressure after Lisandro Martinez’s own goal put Fulham ahead just past the hour mark.
Calvin Bassey’s shot came off goalkeeper Senne Lammens before rebounding off Martinez and into the net, giving Fulham the lead.
United responded, with Bryan Mbeumo forcing a fine save from Bernd Leno after Bruno Fernandes had earlier hit the woodwork. But it took until the 89th minute for United to find the equaliser.
Cunha’s effort took a heavy deflection before beating Leno and rescuing a point for United, who have now won only one of their opening five Premier League games.
Fulham had been on course for their first home league win over United since 2009 and their first league victory under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa before Cunha’s late intervention.
CITY SURVIVE THRILLER
Manchester City maintained their 100 per cent start to the season but had to survive a remarkable fightback from Sunderland before securing a 5-3 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
City twice surrendered the lead in the first half as Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey ran riot. He scored a hat-trick and repeatedly exposed gaps in the home defence.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring before Brobbey levelled. Rayan Cherki restored City’s lead, only for Brobbey to equalise again. Antoine Semenyo then struck twice, including a second goal in the 57th minute, to put City in front.
Brobbey completed his hat-trick soon after, forcing the ball over the line, and Ruben Dias had to clear another effort off the line as Sunderland threatened to level again.
Erling Haaland finally settled the contest in the 81st minute, scoring his seventh goal in his last five games.
City head into the international break three points clear of second-placed Arsenal, although their defensive display will give Maresca plenty to think about.
ISAK WINS IT
Liverpool also remained unbeaten after Alexander Isak’s 57th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win at Bournemouth.
Isak reacted quickest after a Cody Gakpo run down the right and a loose ball following Florian Wirtz’s challenge to slot home his fourth league goal of the season.
Liverpool’s attacking performance was again far from convincing, with the visitors managing only six efforts on goal. Wirtz endured another quiet outing, while Gakpo and Bradley Barcola provided more of Liverpool’s attacking threat.
But the clean sheet and three points were enough to send Liverpool into the international break unbeaten.
– Ends
