Antoine Semenyo happy to lead Man City's attack if needed

Antoine Semenyo is ready to take on the challenge of leading Manchester City's attack if needed.

The Ghana international underlined his finishing ability with two clinical strikes in City's thrilling 5-3 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday.

The prolific output of Erling Haaland, who was also on target as Enzo Maresca's side maintained their 100% start to the campaign, means City are rarely short of goals.

But the club's summer transfer activity has left them with no clear replacement for Haaland should the Norwegian miss any games.

Maresca has identified winger Semenyo as the most obvious alternative and the 26-year-old would be happy to step up.

Semenyo said: "I've heard about his backup striker thing. I don't know where it's come from!

"But, yes, if I need to, then I'll do it. I've no problem in doing that."

Of his finishing, he added: "I think that just comes naturally.

"Once I'm in front of the goal, I know it doesn't move. So as long as I hit it in the corner, hit it with a good connection, I know it will go in."

City were pushed all the way by Sunderland, who showed no sign of weariness from their midweek Europa League outing.

Brian Brobbey scored a hat trick for the visitors but Semenyo's double and Haaland's late effort completed the job for City, for whom Enzo Fernández and Rayan Cherki also struck.

Both sides had numerous other chances in a frantic game. Haaland missed an open goal for City while Brobbey hit the bar and Rúben Dias had to clear off the line. Sunderland also felt they should have had a penalty for handball against Elliot Anderson.

Semenyo said: "It was a tough one. Physically, we knew it would be like that -- duels, aerial balls, set-pieces.

"We knew it would be a fight, and we just needed to stick together collectively and win our individual duels and get three points, which we've done.

"Sometimes it is going to be like that, not every game you can control. You just have to ride the waves. We knew if we got our chances, we would score."

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City have now won seven games in succession in all competitions since their defeat by Arsenal in the Community Shield.

With a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League, it has been a strong start under new manager Maresca but Semenyo feels there is still room for improvement yet.

He said: "Everyone feels good. It's where we want to be, but we're not going to get too complacent, too relaxed. We know that there's a lot more games to go.

"We just want to continue winning, we just have to keep going.

"It's seven or eight weeks we've been together now, so it's not been too long, but we're doing well. We're winning our games and we'll keep improving."