It's almost as if Arsenal had just heard about City's goals. 

The Gunners put their foot down to open up Sunderland, Mesut's Ozil's slick pass putting in Hector Bellerin.

But the Spanish right-back goes for the near post and finds the side-netting. And moments later that is where Aaron Ramsey also sticks the ball.

Then another chance! Rob Holding has a free header but nods down into the turf and over the bar.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender at Etihad Stadium

It was a great strike because it came to him at an awkward height. 

I tell you though, that's a brilliant goal, it's very difficult to score a goal like this. Whips it, right footed, volleyish, right in the bottom corner. 

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender at Etihad Stadium.

It was good play. De Bruyne did all the work, gets in behind. 

Jesus was right in the middle of the goal. Simplest of tasks. 

Different game now! 

First goal is so key to the game. 

Nacer Chadli has a free-kick out on the left for West Brom. He lifts it over the wall and it stings the palms of Willy Caballero but the Man City keeper doesn't look too troubled by the Baggies' first shot on target. 

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

Tony Pulis' face was a picture then after Craig Dawson's mis-control helped let Leroy Sane in.

As Sane drilled his shot wide, Pulis turned to his bench with a thunderous expression before calling assistant David Kemp over for a word.

Arsene Wenger suggested yesterday West Brom might not be trying so hard because they had nothing left to play for.

That's not the impression Pulis gave just then.

Image source, reuters

Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Emirates Stadium

Jermain Defoe did well. His little sharp movement over the first five yards got him away from the Arsenal defence.

It was a low shot and Cech had to make the save.

There is a lot of frustration creeping in around the stadium.

Jermain Defoe and Didier Ndong link up again and Defoe forces Petr Cech to parry his shot away from the goal. A decent effort.

Once again, Arsenal break and Olivier Giroud is on his backside in the area, after going down under pressure from the Sunderland defence. He calls for a penalty, but his appeals are waved away. 

Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Emirates Stadium

It has gone flat in the last 10 minutes. Arsenal started to build up pressure and it looked like they would get an opening, but it has gone quiet. They need to lift this stadium.

James William Dingle: Giroud currently a solid 0.5/10. Calling him awful would be a compliment.

Dan Martins: A rare cheer for​ Arsenal from Manchester United fans, they can only hurt Liverpool/City now!

Nadir Rouabhi: Last few minutes it's looked like Sunderland are the side fighting for top four. 

Didier Ndong links up well with Jermain Defoe and takes a shot from the left-hand side, which is saved by Petr Cech. That's the visitors' first real chance. 

Sunderland earn their first corner but it comes to nothing. 

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender at Etihad Stadium

I really don't know how Sane missed. 

He had an awful lot of space and room, should have done a lot better. 

Maybe the ball bounced a little but he should have hit the target. 

Image source, Reuters

Sergio Aguero snatches possession as West Brom try to come forward. He tees up Leroy Sane who drags his shot wide.

Man City taking control now.  

Jermain Defoe finds a rare inch of space in the Arsenal box, only to slip onto his backside.

The Sunderland striker has barely had a kick, managing just six touches in the opening 25 minutes. And one of them was the kick-off.

Even Petr Cech has been more involved.

Image source, Opta

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender at Etihad Stadium

It was very, very comfortable, great power, and were we totally convinced it was going in? Not sure, touch and go. 

Sane nutmegs Nyom on his way into the box and the pair collide. The City attacker wants a penalty but the ref's not having it.

Now City have a free-kick, about 25-yards out, taken by Aleksander Kolarov. It comes off his boot with some force and Ben Foster has to make a strong save.

Arsenal have a corner but it's not a classic from Mesut Ozil. 

Xhaka then lofts a lovely ball to Olivier Giroud, who controls it well, but the flag is up. 

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender at Etihad Stadium

The action has not been unexpected so far. 

Generally, it has been City with the ball, trying to move it around, the least amount of touches as possible and West Brom sitting back and saying 'Come try and beat us.'