Manchester City narrowed Arsenal’s advantage in the Premier League title race to just two points after easing past Sunderland 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Surprisingly, it was centre-back duo Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol who sparked City into life.
The defenders struck in quick succession before the interval,Dias powering a superb 25-yard drive into the top corner, while Gvardiol rose highest to nod in from Phil Foden’s corner.
City tightened their grip on the contest after the restart. Though Jeremy Doku rattled the post and Sunderland threatened briefly, Pep Guardiola’s men eventually put the result beyond all doubt with a moment of brilliance from Rayan Cherki.
The French winger danced to the byline and delivered a sensational rabona cross that Foden headed home via the underside of the bar, his fifth goal in three matches.
Sunderland, who started the day in fifth place, showed flashes of resistance. Wilson Isidor forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into action after capitalising on a Dias error, and Granit Xhaka struck the upright from a corner.
But frustration grew as City took control, culminating in substitute Luke O’Nien’s late red card for a reckless challenge on Matheus Nunes.
With Arsenal slipping at Villa Park earlier in the day, City needed to respond and they did so with composure.
After recent nervy finishes against Leeds and Fulham, this comfortable victory serves as a timely morale boost ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
Their title charge is very much alive again.
