Manchester City's 100% start to the Premier League season survived a Sunderland side that arrived at the Etihad determined to have a go — and very nearly made it count. Enzo Maresca's men ran out 5-3 winners on Sunday, a fifth league win from five and a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions, but the scoreline flatters nobody in blue.

Sunderland, set up by Régis Le Bris to attack rather than contain, gave as good as they got for long stretches. Eight goals in total, and on another afternoon the visitors would have taken far more than a three-goal defeat from the trip.

A back line that never settled

The entire City defence had a bad day. All of the back four, plus the goalkeeper, were off it. Ruben Dias in particular endured a torrid afternoon up against Brian Brobbey, who scored a hat-trick and physically dominated the City captain, holding up long balls and turning Dias at will. It was the sort of centre-forward performance that keeps a defensive unit awake at night.

Brobbey's hold-up play repeatedly dragged the City back line out of shape. Matheus Nunes, filling in at right-back, was caught out positionally and wasn't at his best in possession. Joško Gvardiol, learning a new role on the left, hasn't yet found defensive solidity there — his positioning across City's seven games this season has caused problems, and Sunday was another example. He remains a weapon going forward, but the balance isn't right yet.

Gianluigi Donnarumma had a nervous outing. Twice in the second half he came for a long throw-in and a cross and got nowhere near either. The goalkeeper's display looked like a by-product of the uncertainty in front of him rather than a standalone issue.

City's midfield didn't help. Sunderland played over and through it too easily, which meant the defence was repeatedly exposed. Only Marc Guehi emerged from the afternoon with much credit.

Maresca wants 1-0, not 5-3

Maresca was pleased with the result but honest about the performance. He revealed afterwards that he'd rather his side won 1-0 than 5-3, and he knew exactly what Sunderland would bring.

To be honest, I prefer to win 1-0 than 5-3 but I expected a very difficult game.

I know how good they are. Off the ball, they are very aggressive, on the ball they have different weapons. For example, Brobbey.

It was very difficult, but we found a way to win the game. The good thing also is that these seven official games have all been different. We experience different things.

The last one with 10 players, today it was a complicated one. We have a chance to learn from the game.

The City boss was happy to come away with another victory, and he'll know the lessons from this one may prove useful when domestic football resumes in a couple of weeks.

It's doubtful City will produce a poorer defensive display this season. The firepower up front — and Sunderland's willingness to trade blows — turned the afternoon into a Premier League classic at the Etihad. Whether Maresca sees it that way is another matter. Five wins from five, seven on the spin, and a sizeable to-do list for the training ground.