Sunderland Experienced An Etihad Eye-Opener On Saturday

By Gbam Godwin On Dec 8, 2025

Sunderland Experienced An Etihad Eye-Opener On Saturday.

Every game — win, lose, or draw — is generally regarded a learning experience for this team,” writes Phil West. It was not the biggest surprise of our 2025/2026 season thus far.

Perhaps it was always asking a lot for Sunderland to end what had been an objectively impressive week of results by depriving Pep Guardiola’s Big Blue Machine of valuable points in the Premier League title race, but after Arsenal’s Saturday afternoon slip combined with the fact that Sunderland more than likely had an eye on next weekend’s clash with Newcastle, a brutal-looking 3-0 Etihad scoreline wasn’t entirely unexpected — even if it represented a rare chastening after

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, interacts with Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, chats with Regis Le Bris, Manager of Sunderland, ahead to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Manchester, England.

(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images.) Getty Images After dramatically overturning a 0-2 Bournemouth lead to win 3-2 and backing that up with a hugely impressive point against Arne Slot’s fading champions at Anfield in midweek, belief would’ve doubtless been high that we could at least take the game to Guardiola’s revamped and seemingly reborn City side, but at the end of a game during which we didn’t lack fighting spirit or work rate,

We simply had to lift up our hands, accept defeat gracefully, and recognise our opponent’s class.

Of course, we can point to certain moments in the game, such as Wilson Isidor being denied (or making the wrong decision when faced with the towering figure of Gianluigi Donnarumma, depending on your point of view), Granit Xhaka cracking a shot off the foot of the post—not to mention things being capped off by a hot-blooded challenge from Luke O’Nien that was as unnecessary as it was unexpected—but in the cold light of day, City were simply too classy, too slick, too Potential title winners? Without a question. They are that good.

We’ve got promising players in a variety of positions whereas they’ve got elite operators in most positions, and that’s what it came down to.

They might’ve moved on from the “death by one thousand passes” approach that saw them dominate the domestic game for years, but even if Norwegian marksman Erling Haaland doesn’t get in on the act, they can still hurt you in a variety of ways and with Phil Foden at his lively best and Rayan Cherki buzzing around menacingly all afternoon, stemming the tide for ninety minutes was always unlikely.

There’s no shame in this, of course, and far better sides than ourselves will emerge from their trip to Eastlands having been put through a spin cycle and given a chasing, but every game — win, lose or draw — is generally considered a learning experience for this side and hopefully morale won’t be dented too severely.

Our season was never likely to be defined by games of this nature and if Le Bris and the players take anything from it, it’s that top flight football is test of every facet — both mental and physical.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City is challenged by Trai Hume of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City is challenged by Trai Hume of Sunderland during Manchester City’s Premier League match against Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Manchester, England.

(Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images.) Getty Images If you fall short in either aspect, along with the elite’s skill level, you’ll always struggle.

City are still one of the top flight’s standard-bearers and although we’ve made no secret of our own ambitions to compete strongly this season, for every away victory over Chelsea, there’s always the possibility of a result like this.

So, in that sense, it’s time for Sunderland to take the standing eight count, sponge themselves down, and gear up for a week that we supporters may not enjoy, but in which the players should revel.

After avoiding yellow cards on Saturday, with Le Bris taking a risk by keeping them in the game until the end, Xhaka and his midfield partner Noah Sadiki will be fit for Newcastle’s visit, and hopefully Reinildo’s groin injury isn’t too serious, as the Mozambican’s nous and experience will be crucial in the cauldron of the Wear-Tyne derby.

It’s also a safe bet that Le Bris will set his team up more effectively than the last time we met our Saudi-backed neighbours, and perhaps the hope is that after a midweek Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen, Newcastle will be feeling the effects and thus vulnerable. Will it pay off?

Let’s hope so, because a win in this most difficult of games would not only be an important three points as we strive for mid-table stability, but it would also send a message to people on Tyneside that we are actually ready to go.

At some point during a battle, every boxer must withstand some sharp punches in order to land one or two strong hits.

We received some stinging jabs on Saturday, but by the time we face Newcastle, we should be ready to take the fight to Eddie Howe’s visitors. It will be edgy and nervy, but it is also a winnable game.