THE absolute cheek of Rayan Cherki.
Manchester City fans were just starting to fear another second half capitulation by their team when the French magician dug into his box of tricks.
He pulled out a ‘rabona’ – an impudent backheeled cross – which landed right on the head of Phil Foden.
The in-form England midfielder expertly nodded over Robin Roefs and in off the underside of the bar for his fifth goal of the week.
But no wonder he was pointing at his fellow mischief maker Cherki as the players celebrated their third goal of the afternoon.
When the moment was replayed on the big screen at the Etihad there was a huge gasp from the regulars who knew a new star was born.
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It was naughty from the former Lyon man.
Pep Guardiola has been talking about Cherki’s skills for a while now – but we have only seen flashes of them in matches.
Perhaps this was the day the former Lyon man finally announced himself to the Premier League.
And it could be more bad news for Arsenal.
After their defeat at Aston Villa at lunchtime, the last thing their manager wanted was his old mentor breathing down his neck.
But that’s exactly what Mikel Arteta has got as he wakes up this morning with Manchester City just two points behind them.
And it’s not just any team either – it’s Pep Guardiola’s men who have won six of the last eight Prem titles – so know exactly how to do it from here.
City slipped seven points behind the leaders when they lost at Newcastle just a fortnight ago – with plenty of people writing them off.
Yet in the blank of an eye they have clawed five of them back.
And they proved here they don’t always rely on Erling Haaland to supply the goals.
Centre backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol gave them lift-off in the first half before that delightful third rounded things off.
This was the first time Guardiola has gone up against Sunderland at the Etihad since his very first Prem game in charge – way back in August 2016.
So much has happened to this club since then – and the hope is there is still plenty to come before their manager eventually departs.
Cherki gave a glimpse of what was to come as his delightful pirouette and low cross but Haaland f- for once – was not where he was meant to be.
The £30 million summer signing was trying to make the most of a rare start and looked lively early on – blasting another effort over the bar.
Sunderland had clearly come to frustrate City – content to sit in and get men behind the ball.
A rare attack saw Enzo Le Fee fire a shot into the side-netting – although Gianluigi Donnarumma probably had it covered anyway.
Yet their stubborn resistance was broken just after the half hour and it came from an unlikely source.
Dias receives pass from Cherki with nothing much on he let fly from around 30 yards. .
Robin Roefs might have been struggling anyway such was the power of the strike – but it took a little nick off Dan Ballard which left him with no chance.
It brought back memories of another centre half – Vincent Kompany – scoring a similar one against Leicester here six years ago – albeit at the other end.
And just over three minutes later there was clear daylight as Foden sent over a dangerous corner from the right.
Josko Gvardiol timed his run to perfection and headed emphatically past the Black Cats keeper.
England beware – the Croatian centre half maybe prone to an odd defensive lapse but he is such a threat around the opponents’ penalty box.
Who needs Haaland anyway?
The Norwegian forward touched the ball only twice in the first half and his team still went in comfortably in front.
Doku drifted in from the left and curled a right footed shot against the base of the post. The rebound fell nicely for Foden but Ballard got back to block.
Maybe Sunderland were grateful to be still in the game because they suddenly sparked into life.
And City – who have found life difficult in the second half several times – suddenly starting to wobble.
Dias went from hero to villain as he presented Wilson Isidor with a golden chance but Donnarumma dashed out of his goal to save.
And a couple of minutes later, veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka thumped a low shot against after a corner fell nicely for him.
Suddenly it felt like a game and Haaland finally got his chance after some dazzling wing play from Cherki but the forward’s volley lacked conviction and Lutsharel Geertruida cleared off the line.
City needed a third to put the game to bed and they got it as Cherki dug into his box of tricks to send over THAT cross for Foden.
The France international wasn’t finished there though – teeing up sub Tijjani Reijnders for what should have been a fourth.
And he also brought a smart save out of Roefs after deciding to go it alone to try for the goal his performance deserved.
A miserable day for the Black Cats was rounded off when Luke O’Nien – who had only come on in the 88th minute – was sent off in stoppage time for a wild challenge on Matheus Nunes.
He will now miss the North East derby just to add to his disappointment.
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