Premier League: Cunha rescues Man United, Man City survive Sunderland scare

Manchester United were spared a third defeat of the week as Matheus Cunha’s late save earned them a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. Meanwhile, Manchester City maintained their perfect start under Enzo Maresco with a chaotic 5-3 win over Sunderland.

United looked set to head into the international break under further pressure after a Lisandro Martinez own goal put Fulham ahead just after the hour mark.

Calvin Bassey’s shot deflected off goalkeeper Senne Lammens before deflecting off Martinez into the net to give Fulham the lead.

United responded, Bryan Mbeumo forcing a fine save from Bernd Leno after Bruno Fernandes had earlier hit the woodwork. But it took United until the 89th minute to find an equaliser.

Cunha’s effort went wide before beating Leno to rescue a point for United, who have now won just one of their opening five Premier League games.

Fulham were on course for their first home league win over United since 2009 and their first league win under new manager Alvaro Arbelo before Cunha’s late strike.

CITY SURVIVE THRILLER

Manchester City maintained their 100 per cent start to the season but had to survive a remarkable fightback from Sunderland to secure a 5-3 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

City surrendered the lead twice in the first half as Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey ran riot. He scored a hat-trick and repeatedly exposed gaps in the home defense.

Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring before Brobbey equalized. Rayan Cherki restored City’s lead but Brobbey equalized again. Antoine Semenyo then struck twice, including the second in the 57th minute, to put City in front.

Brobbey completed his hat-trick soon after when he forced the ball over the line and Ruben Dias had to clear another effort off the line as Sunderland again threatened to equalise.

Erling Haaland tied the game for good in the 81st minute, scoring his seventh goal in the last five games.

City head into the international break three points clear of second-placed Arsenal, although their defensive display will give Marescu plenty to think about.

ISAK WINS IT

Liverpool also remained unbeaten after Alexander Isak’s 57th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

Isak was quickest to react after Cody Gakpo raced down the right and cleared the ball after Florian Wirtz’s challenge to score his fourth league goal of the season.

Once again, Liverpool’s offensive performance was far from convincing, the visitors managed only six goal attempts. Wirtz endured another quiet outing, while Gakpo and Bradley Barcola provided Liverpool’s greater attacking threat.

But a clean sheet and three points was enough to send Liverpool into the international break unbeaten.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

20 Sep 2026 23:32 IST