The Sky Blues narrowed the gap on the Gunners at the summit of the English top-flight to a mere two points, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Black Cats on Saturday.
Central defenders Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol propelled Pep Guardiola’s squad forward with a swift double salvo before halftime at the Etihad Stadium.
Phil Foden sealed the triumph after 65 minutes, with his fifth goal in three appearances largely attributed to a moment of brilliance from Rayan Cherki.
The Frenchman orchestrated Foden’s header, which crashed in off the woodwork, with an exquisite rabona cross.
That inspiring play effectively extinguished the challenge from Sunderland, who concluded the match with 10 players after substitute Luke O’Nien was ejected in stoppage time.
Prior to Foden’s goal, the Black Cats, who commenced the game in fifth position, had been threatening a comeback. Instead, they were left to lament a sluggish start, while City, after enduring nervy finishes against Leeds and Fulham in the preceding week, were relieved to avert another scare.
They will now journey to Real Madrid for their upcoming Champions League fixture on Wednesday in high spirits, confident that their domestic title pursuit is firmly back on track.
The contest unfolded gradually, with City needing patience to capitalize on Arsenal’s setback at Aston Villa.
The opening half-hour offered little excitement, although Enzo Le Fée came close for Sunderland from a distance.
City seized control through the unexpected contributions of Dias and Gvardiol.
Dias initiated the scoring with a thunderous strike into the top corner from 25 yards in the 31st minute, venturing forward to bolster an attack.
Sunderland scarcely had time to regroup before City doubled their advantage.
On this occasion, Gvardiol finished, timing his jump impeccably to head home at the far post from a Foden corner.
City came close to a third early in the second half when Jérémy Doku weaved through the defense and curled a low shot against the post, with Foden’s subsequent effort blocked.
That close call seemed to awaken Sunderland, and Dias was hurried into an error moments later, presenting an opportunity to Wilson Isidor. Gianluigi Donnarumma responded swiftly to thwart the forward, who was also denied a late winner at Anfield by a goalline clearance.
Sunderland came even closer when Granit Xhaka struck the post from a corner, but as the game opened up, the unusually subdued Erling Haaland was denied by a header off the line by Lutsharel Geertruida.
City intensified their pressure, and Haaland, who touched the ball only twice in the entire first half, initiated an attack with a surge upfield.
He fed Cherki out wide, and the Frenchman reached the byline before cutting back and delivering his sublime assist for Foden to head in.
Cherki could have added to the lead himself but shot straight at Robin Roefs, who also palmed over from Doku.
Sunderland’s woes were compounded when O’Nien, who only entered the field in the 88th minute, was sent off for a reckless challenge on Mathues Nunes.
