EPL; Manchester City Cruise Past Sunderland, Close Gap on Arsenal

Manchester City defeat Sunderland 3-

Manchester City beat Sunderland 3-0, with Ruben Dias scoring a wonder goal as Pep Guardiola's side close in on league leaders Arsenal.

City continued to probe, however, and found themselves two goals to the good after netting twice in four minutes...

Manchester City secured a convincing 3-0 win over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium, thanks to a Ruben Dias wonder goal, Josko Gvardiol's header, and Phil Foden's strike. This victory marks City's third win in a week and extends their home winning streak to seven games.

The win closes the gap with league leaders Arsenal to just two points, following Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa earlier in the day. Pep Guardiola's side dominated possession but struggled to break through Sunderland's defense initially. However, Dias changed the game with a spectacular 25-yard strike, and Gvardiol doubled the lead four minutes later.

Foden sealed the win with his fifth goal in three games, finishing off a stunning rabona cross from Rayan Cherki. Sunderland's hopes of a comeback were dashed, and they finished the game with 10 men after Luke O'Nien was sent off for a late challenge.

Pep Guardiola believes he has a special player in Rayan Cherki 👏 pic.twitter.com/ilk7U8UFce

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 6, 2025

Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, dominated the early stages of the game against Sunderland, but struggled to break through their opponents' defense. Despite controlling possession, they found it tough to create clear-cut chances, with Erling Haaland having a rare off-day, unable to capitalize on a promising opportunity presented by Rayan Cherki.

City continued to probe, however, and found themselves two goals to the good after netting twice in four minutes just after the half-hour mark.

First, Ruben Dias produced a Vincent Kompany-esque strike from 30 yards ll, riflingpppllcorner.

The home fans were still taking in that stunner from the Portuguese centreback before his defensive partner, Joško Gvardiol, doubled the hosts’ lead after towering the Sunderland defence to send his smashing header home from Phil Foden’s corner.

Those two goals made it a league-high 18 first-half goals for City this season.

Régis Le Bris’ men finally grew into the contest in the second half and came close on two occasions to halving the deficit.

First, Wilson Isidor dispossessed Dias, but before he could fire on goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma brilliantly raced off the line to smother the Sunderland striker.

Then, Granit Xhaka was denied by the woodwork after the away side pushed for a goal. 

 

However, for all of Sunderland’s resolve and effort to get back into the game was dashed on 65 minutes through the man in form, Foden, though Cherki deserved all the credit after producing a stunning moment via a rabona cross for the Englishman to head home.

Cherki was clearly in the mood and almost found a goal of his own minutes later, but Robin Roefs did well to get down low and deny the Frenchman.

City coasted through the remaining quarter hour and looked back to their dominant best.

That said, consistency will be needed if they are going to chase Arsenal all the way in the PL title race.

Naturally, Sunderland will be disappointed with the result, and they drop down to seventh, but Le Bris will now turn his attention to next week’s massive Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United.