I watched Sunderland's dramatic defeat to Man City and this is what I made of their performance

It was a game that had to be seen to be believed.

Sunderland came to Man City and generated nearly 4.0 XG, Brian Brobbey's season bursting into life with a brilliant hat trick. They struck the woodwork twice and were outstanding for large parts of the game but thanks to some big defensive lapses and a ruthless display of finishing from the hosts, they somehow contrived to fall to a 5-3 defeat.

Though they showed spirit and no little quality, thir slack moments meant they were always chasing a game against a side of exceptional attacking quality on home turf. Ultimately, it cost them.

Sunderland came into this game full of confidence following a strong showing at Arsenal last week, but few would have predicted a first half in which they matched City step for step and for large parts outplayed them. Yet uncharacteristic defensive errors meant they went into the break behind, and in some ways fortunate to still be in the game.

Brian Brobbey's dominance against Ruben Dias gave the Black Cats a way into the game from the off, and they should have gone ahead when Le Fée slid a ball across that Angulo turned wide of the far post from a promising position. Sunderland were on top, but gave the hosts a way in when a corner routine went array. Methalie was forced to foul Ndiaye, and Enzo spotted Roefs off his line before whipping the free kick in at the near post.

To their credit the Black Cats responded immediately, Le Fee spinning infield and sliding in Brobbey on his weaker foot. The striker did well to get the ball out under his feet and though Donnarumma got a foot to it, the ball found its way in. Sunderland continued to push but again let City just before the half hour mark, the hosts pouncing when Danso's pass from inside his own box didn't reach Sadiki. Cherki did well to pick out the bottom corner, albeit via a slight deflection. Again Sunderland came again and this time they produced one of their best team goals since winning promotion, Le Fée springing Meunier clear on his weaker foot. The Belgian unselfishly cut the ball across for Brobbey, who tapped into an empty net.

Sunderland were behind at the break despite their superb play after Cherki crossed following a corner, the visitors stopping the shot from Guehi but unable to prevent Semenyo firing in a half volley. It would have been worse had Haaland tapped into an empty net moments later, but he put it wide to keep the game firmly alive.

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The second half was no slower nor shorter on incident, a promising start from Sunderland undone when a clearance from Danso hit Mukiele and bounced kindly for Semenyo, who fired into the far corner. Sunderland's frustration was compounded as moments before, Anderson appeared to have handballed when he challenged Le Fée in the box. Once again Sunderland responded, though, a stunning early pass from Xhaka springing Angulo clear. With his first touch the winger found Brobbey, who tapped in from a matter of yards.

The Black Cats continued to press and push Man City deep into their own half, but their need to chase the game always left space for the hosts and they capitalised when they were able to break down Sunderland's right. Gvardiol squared a pass for Haaland to tap in at the back post and despite the flag initially being raised for offside, the goal was correctly given after a VAR review. It was cruel on Sunderland who had played so well for such large parts of the game, but their defensive errors had cost them dearly.