Perfect City beat 10-man Reds to extend lead, Arsenal prevail

Manchester City silenced a hostile Anfield crowd as second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku ‌and Rayan Cherki secured a 3-0 victory over 10-man ​Liverpool on Sunday and maintained the Premier League ‌leaders’ perfect start to ‌the season.

Enzo Maresca’s side stood firm against Liverpool’s early pressure and a fevered atmosphere before taking control after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the 62nd minute for a second booking following a ​foul on Doku.

Haaland then struck three minutes later, ‌smashing a left-footed shot past Alisson after Doku worked the ball into the box and his attempted shot was deflected into the path of the big Norwegian.

Doku doubled the lead in the 68th minute with a gorgeous long-range ​shot that ‌curled into the far top corner. Cherki completed ‌the rout in the 78th minute when he let the ball roll through to Josko Gvardiol before turning into the ‌box to meet ‌his teammate’s pass and slot the ball home.

The victory gave City ‌six wins from six and moved them three points clear of Arsenal on 18 points, providing a forceful response on the pitch after ​a turbulent week away from it. Liverpool are ninth after their first league loss of the season.

Meanwhile, ten-man Tottenham salvaged a 1-1 against fellow strugglers Manchester United thanks to Dominic Solanke’s last-gasp leveller, while Arsenal got back on track as the champions survived a scare to beat Leeds 2-1 on Saturday.

In a clash dubbed ‘El Sackicko’ given the scrutiny on both managers, Bryan Mbeumo put United ahead in the 73rd minute at Old Trafford.

Mbeumo punished sloppy Tottenham marking to fire home from an acute angle after Matheus Cunha’s pass picked him out in the penalty area.

Tottenham looked doomed when Uruguay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for headbutting United defender Luke Shaw in a brawl five minutes after United’s opener.

But Solanke came to Tottenham’s rescue in the final moments when he evaded United defender Lisandro Martinez to head in Sandro Tonali’s cross.

It was a dramatic finale to a scrappy encounter in keeping with the problems gripping two underachieving teams.

Tottenham sit third bottom of the table and remain winless after losing three of their first six league games.

United are languishing in 12th place with only one league so far this season.

Roberto De Zerbi saved Tottenham from relegation on the final day of last term after taking charge late in the campaign.

But despite spending over £300 million ($429 million) on new signings in the close-season, Tottenham have failed to win any of their opening six games of a league season for just the fourth time in their history.

“I like the situation we were in with the red card. We need this situation. We have not accepted the defeat,” De Zerbi said.

“I kiss Bentancur in the dressing room. Football is character. I’m very happy because I have seen the right spirit and character.”

Carrick’s side were hoping to build on last season’s impressive third-place finish.

However, United’s total of six points is their fewest at this stage of a campaign since 1986-87.

“For a number of reasons, we were not quite there. You could see it was a challenging time,” Carrick said after United were booed off.

“It hurts a lot because I care about this club. But I understand the disappointment.”

After a shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton before the international break, Arsenal were in danger of a second successive loss when they fell behind at the Emirates Stadium.

James Justin fired Leeds ahead in the 55th minute after Arsenal failed to clear Gabriel Gudmundsson’s cross.

But Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori found the cure when he converted Ben White’s header from close-range in the 62nd minute.

Arsenal showcased their strength in depth as substitute Bruno Guimaraes drilled the winner from the edge of the area just six minutes after coming on.

Guimaraes’ first goal at the Emirates since his close-season move from Newcastle made it five wins from six league matches for the Gunners.

The north London club sit in second place behind crisis-hit Manchester City on goal difference.

City travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their first match since being found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules.

“We weren’t pleased against Brighton and today was an opportunity to put that right. We certainly reacted in the manner we expected,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said.

Agencies