Rayan Cherki declared it a “perfect day” for Man City as they comfortably beat Sunderland to move within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol both scored in quick succession to give City a commanding first-half lead at Eastlands on Saturday afternoon.
After the break Phil Foden scored for the fifth time in his last three league outings to wrap up a sixth consecutive victory for the hosts.
‘Perfect day’ as Man City close gap on leaders Arsenal
“Today it was a great game,” Cherki told Sky Sports after the full-time whistle. “We don’t want to concede goals and today we didn’t. Perfect day.”
The France international played a key role in the win, fashioning two assists from six chances created, while he also completed the most dribbles (5) in the game.
On his rabona assist for Foden, he said: “Yeah I heard it [the fan reaction], just for the fans because I want to give the pleasure to others. I want to play for Phil, for Omar [Marmoush] and for Erling [Haaland].”
Asked if he has been given permission to play with freedom, Cherki responded: “Yeah of course, it’s my quality I want to try all the time when I have the ball. Today it was good because it was a good pass for Phil.”
City are now just one win away from potentially overtaking Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table after the Gunners fell to a late defeat at Aston Villa earlier in the day.
“We know that. We take the game one after one. We want to work for wins and games.”
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