Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a commanding 3-0 victory over 10-man Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki secured the victory for Enzo Maresca’s side.
The encounter, played amid a hostile atmosphere following City’s recent guilty verdict over breaches of Premier League financial regulations, remained goalless throughout the first half.
Liverpool created several opportunities, with Victor Muñoz and Lewis Koumas threatening City’s defence.
However, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced important saves to keep the visitors level.
City also threatened through Enzo Fernández and Haaland, but neither side could break the deadlock before halftime.
Gravenberch’s red card changes Liverpool clash
The turning point came in the 62nd minute when Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch received a second yellow card for a challenge on Jeremy Doku.
The decision sparked controversy, with football pundits questioning the referee’s judgment.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher warned on Sky Sports that the dismissal could have serious consequences for the hosts.
“Liverpool have to be careful that it doesn’t get really messy now,” he said.
City immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 65th minute, firing a powerful shot past Alisson Becker after Doku’s initial effort was blocked by Alexis Mac Allister.
Three minutes later, Doku doubled City’s advantage with a curling strike into the top corner.
Cherki completed the victory in the 78th minute, producing an impressive individual effort before calmly finishing past Alisson.
Man City extend perfect Premier League run
The victory marked City’s sixth consecutive Premier League win under Maresca, taking their tally to 18 points from six matches.
It also extended their advantage over second-placed Arsenal to three points.
City recorded successive league victories at Anfield for the first time since 1953, having also defeated Liverpool 2-1 at the venue in February.
The result came in City’s first competitive match since an independent commission found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
City have denied wrongdoing and lodged an appeal against the verdict.
Despite jeers and protests from Liverpool supporters, Maresca’s players maintained their composure to secure an important away victory.
For Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, the defeat marked his first Premier League loss since taking charge of the club.
Manchester City will now turn their attention to Wednesday’s Champions League encounter against Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium.
