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 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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