What happened...
Two wonder strikes from Paolo Fernandes and a late Lukas Nmecha double gave the Blues all three points at table toppers Sunderland.
City began as the dominant side but couldn’t force a save from Maksymilian Stryjek in the Sunderland goal. That remained the case until the 18th minute when Paolo Fernandes, in a slightly altered wide role, picked the ball up 25 yards out and struck an unstoppable right footed effort to give the Blues the lead.
Cameron Humphreys was the next to go close; City’s defender heading powerfully but narrowly edging the post.
City weathered the Sunderland response well and instead of being content with the 1-0 lead at the break, Fernandes took matters into his own hands. Another long range strike, this one even further out, beat Stryjek and put City in a commanding position.
The Blues put the Sunderland goal under extreme pressure in the opening stages of the second period but it was the Black Cats who found the next goal - Rees Greenwood firing across Billy O’Brien and into the far corner.
Greenwood quickly went from hero to zero as he fouled Lukas Nmecha in the penalty box. City’s striker dusted himself down and took the resulting penalty with aplomb to restore the two goal lead.
Elliot Embleton’s 77th minute goal could have derailed the Blues but Nmecha grabbed his second and City’s fourth in the dying moments to seal their third win of the season.
What it means...
Simon Davies’ Blues have 10 points from a possible 15 in the Premier League 2.
City face Leicester next at the Etihad Stadium on Friday 23 September in their next Premier League fixture. Visit the ticket office for information on how you can support our future.
Man of the match...
Paolo Fernandes - Who else?
The Spaniard made the ultimate difference with his two first half wonder strikes but he was a constant menace throughout the match. The 18-year-old is always prepared to try something different in order to break a defence down.
How they lined up...
Captain Billy O’Brien remained in goal.
The defence was an experienced one at this level with occasional first teamers Pablo Maffeo, Cameron Humphreys, Tosin Adarabioyo and Angelino protecting O’Brien’s goal.
James Horsfield sat at the base of the midfield behind Rodney Kongolo and Brahim Diaz while Paolo Fernandes and Aaron Nemane flanked Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.
Substitutes: Kjetil Haug, Charlie Oliver, Sadou Diallo, Javairo Dilrosun, Lukas Nmecha
Sunderland XI: Stryjek, Jones, Robson, Beadling, Ledger, Brady, Embleton, Robson, Maja, Honeyman, Greenwood
