Anfield had been waiting to rattle Manchester City after the club’s financial case, but the noise never changed the result. City’s first match since being found guilty of major illegal financial wrongdoing — a verdict they have appealed — ended in a ruthless 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, with former Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki adding the final flourish.
Before any punishment is confirmed, including the possibility of a points deduction, Enzo Maresca’s side moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League. Liverpool, beaten heavily on their own ground, remain ninth after six games with nine points.
Ten-man Liverpool unravel after the hour
The contest swung shortly after the interval when Ryan Gravenberch was dismissed in the 63rd minute. The Liverpool midfielder received a second yellow card for bringing down Jérémy Doku, who had entered the match seven minutes earlier and quickly became decisive.
City made their numerical advantage count almost immediately. Erling Haaland struck in the 65th minute after a blocked attempt fell back into his path, the Norway striker finishing first time beyond Alisson to open the scoring.
Doku then produced the moment of the afternoon. Four minutes after Haaland’s goal, the Belgian took on Victor Munoz, shifted the ball onto his preferred angle and curled a superb shot into the far top corner.
Cherki completed the emphatic win in the 79th minute with a goal built on his individual invention. Elliot Anderson’s pass was allowed to run through the French international’s legs before Josko Gvardiol returned it with a backheel. Cherki then sent Jeremie Frimpong the wrong way with a sharp cut inside and slipped his finish underneath the advancing Alisson.
The former Lyon player marked the goal with the same composed, distant stare he had shown while celebrating for France in the 4-1 win over Belgium at the Stade de France earlier in the week, holding the expression briefly before breaking into a smile. It is fast becoming his recognisable celebration.
City now turn towards Tuesday night’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium. The English leaders will host the two-time European champions in form, with Haaland, Doku and Cherki arriving after a devastating second-half display on Merseyside.
