Maresca: 5-3 win pleasing, but clean sheet preferred

Manchester City beat Sunderland 5-3 on Saturday to maintain a 100% Premier League record and move three points clear at the top of the table heading into a three-week international break.

Manager Enzo Maresca had warned the Black Cats would provide City's stiffest test of the season so far — a prediction that proved accurate.

"To be honest, I prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3 but I expected a very difficult game," Maresca said. "I know how good they are. Off the ball, they are very aggressive, on the ball they have different weapons. For example, Brobbey."

Maresca expressed concern over how easily two of the three goals were conceded. "The second goal came from a quick free-kick by Xhaka, the third goal from another free-kick. Too easy. We conceded chances but we scored five and could have scored two or three more too."

The City boss noted the varied nature of the opening seven competitive fixtures. "These seven official games have all been different. We experience different things. The last one with 10 players, today it was a complicated one. We have a chance to learn from the game."

Maresca referenced Sunderland's recent meeting with Arsenal as further evidence of the visitors' disruptive style. "I watched Sunderland v Arsenal, and it was another crazy game. They didn't want to allow you to control the game."

On individual performances, Maresca singled out several players. "Jérémy was very good, making the pass for Josko and Nico. Iliman was good. Antoine was good. Overall, the performance was good."