Manchester City brushed aside Sunderland 3–0 to move within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal. Goals from Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol and Phil Foden capped a commanding afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s side, but it was Rayan Cherki who stole the spotlight with another dazzling creative display.
The Frenchman produced one of the assists of the season, a sensational Rabona cross that Foden headed home for his fifth goal in a week. Speaking to City Studios after the match, Cherki emphasised the collective pride City felt — not just for the three goals, but for the clean sheet and total control they asserted throughout.
Cherki: “We are very proud”
Cherki’s words perfectly matched the mood inside the Etihad after a near-flawless performance.
“We are very proud. We worked all week for that. The team played very well. We defended well, we attacked well. For that we are very proud.” — Rayan Cherki
He added:
“We worked a lot for taking a lot of risks, for scoring a lot of goals, and don’t concede a goal. Today it’s unbelievable because we scored three goals and we didn’t concede.” — Rayan Cherki
The 21-year-old continues to grow into Premier League life, looking sharper with each outing. His combination play has added a new creative texture to City’s attack.
A stylish and dominant City performance
City controlled the tempo from the opening whistle. Dias opened the scoring with a rare thunderbolt from distance — his first league goal of the season — before Gvardiol rose highest to power in a header from a corner. Sunderland, despite their effort and organisation, were unable to cope with City’s positional rotations and relentless pressure.
Cherki’s creativity flourished in the second half, culminating in his showpiece Rabona assist. The Etihad roared in approval as Foden converted, continuing his remarkable run of form.
With Arsenal slipping earlier in the day, the victory pulls City firmly back into the title race narrative.
Cherki vs Sunderland: By the numbers
| Stat (vs Sunderland) | Rayan Cherki |
|---|---|
| Assists | 2 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 1.04 |
| Big Chances Created | 2 |
| Key Passes | 6 |
| Accurate Passes | 64/73 (88%) |
| Dribbles (successful) | 9 (5) |
source: Sofascore match data – 6 December 2025
These numbers underline a complete creative performance: high-risk passing, successful take-ons and constant danger in the final third.
Why Cherki’s rise is so important for City
Having covered City across multiple seasons, Cherki’s adaptation stands out because it adds unpredictability — something Guardiola’s sides historically lose when in rigid tactical phases. In our view, Cherki’s risk-taking is exactly what City lacked at times last season. His ability to break structure, yet execute with precision, offers Guardiola a profile he hasn’t had since Riyad Mahrez.
Although some may argue he still needs refinement out of possession, it’s worth questioning whether City even want him to fully conform. His uniqueness is his value. The Rabona assist wasn’t flair for show — it was the smartest pass available, executed with supreme confidence.
Sunderland’s test and what lies ahead
Sunderland were brave but ultimately overwhelmed. The match highlighted the gulf in quality but also City’s renewed focus after recent inconsistency. With the gap to Arsenal now just two points, this victory arrives at a perfect moment as City enter a demanding festive period.
Key Insights
- Cherki proud of victory over Sunderland after Man City dominate 3–0.
- Dias, Gvardiol and Foden all on the scoresheet as City close on Arsenal.
- Cherki delivered two assists, including a highlight-reel Rabona cross.
- City impressed with balance: high creativity and a clean sheet.
- Cherki continues to grow into Guardiola’s tactical demands.
What’s Next
Manchester City move deeper into the congested December schedule with momentum restored. Cherki’s form makes him difficult to leave out, while Foden’s goalscoring streak continues to change games. City’s next fixtures will determine whether this win becomes the launchpad for another winter surge.
👉 City fans — is Cherki becoming undroppable already, or is there still more to come from him?
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