Enzo Maresca was pleased with the Manchester City "found a way to win" against Sunderland, but joked, "I prefer 1-0" after their dramatic 5-3 victory.
The Premier League leaders came out on top in an eight-goal thriller at the Etihad Stadium, despite Brian Brobbey's hat-trick for the visitors, who twice came from behind to level at 2-2.
Man City maintained their 100% start to the season, with a fifth win in as many games moving them three points clear of reigning champions Arsenal at the summit.
Yet Maresca, who predicted before the game that Sunderland would provide his side's toughest test thus far, acknowledged it was a lot less straightforward than he would have liked.
"I was right," he told Sky Sports. "A very good team, strong, dangerous. We also conceded a few of the goals too easily.
"We've played seven official games, and they've all been different, which is good because we learn from all of them. It is a matter of learning, you need to learn to be better and that will be no different today.
"There were too many goals. I prefer 1-0; it's much better! I'm happy with today’s performance because we found a way to win, but hopefully next time, we won't concede three."
The perfect startpic.twitter.com/pBXxTvknMF
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 20, 2026
Antoine Semenyo scored in each half for the hosts, while he also teed up Rayan Cherki for their second goal.
It marked the fourth time in his career that he has scored and assisted in a Premier League match, and he has now set up three goals in his last four games.
"If you're winning at the end, you definitely enjoy it, but if you lose, not so much," he said of the eight-goal contest.
"It was a tough game, we knew it'd be hard. They're a very good team and made it difficult for us, but we held on as a team and for the three points.
"It's been amazing [the start]… everyone is adjusting. We don't want to get complacent. We're building a nice culture as well, and we’re hoping we collect as many points as we can."
Semenyo also revealed how a half-time pep talk from Maresca inspired an improved performance from Man City after the break.
"He wasn't so happy," the winger added. "We needed to win duels, that was the key thing for the game. If we won our duels, I knew we'd score and in the second half, that changed. We won more duels, and we got our goals."
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