Maresca hails Semenyo as Manchester City’s spark for perfect start

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Manchester City have maintained a flawless opening to the 2026/27 Premier League, and manager Enzo Maresca could not be happier with Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo’s contribution. The 23‑year‑old registered a brace in the 5‑3 victory over Sunderland at the Etihad on Sunday, SEPTEMBER 20, cementing the team’s early dominance.

Semenyo’s two goals came after he had already supplied decisive assists in the club’s earlier wins over Crystal Palace and Coventry City, setting up Erling Haaland in the former and a teammate in the latter. His involvement helped Man City secure three points before the international break.

‘He was very important but it’s not just because he scored two goals,’ Maresca said in his post‑match news conference. ‘Even when he didn’t score he was good – the Palace assist for Haaland and the one at home against Coventry show it’s not only about goals.’

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The 5‑3 thriller also saw Enzo Fernández, Ryan Cherki and Erling Haaland add to the tally for City, while Sunderland’s Dutch‑Ghanaian forward Brian Brobbey produced a hat‑trick for the Black Cats.

Looking ahead to the international break

The squad now faces an international break, during which Semenyo will travel to Ghana on Wednesday for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Gambia, as well as a friendly with Morocco. Maresca warned against complacency, urging the team to recharge and return ready.

‘If you’re winning at the end you definitely enjoy it,’ Semenyo said after the match. ‘We held on together as a team, got the three points and it’s been good so far, but we don’t want to get too complacent.’