Embattled Manchester City thumps Liverpool

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The contest at Anfield came amid the backdrop of the Premier League winning their case against Man City, which has appealed the result and maintains its innocence.

A vociferous home crowd jeered every touch and pass from City's players throughout, yet the league leader demonstrated its class with a clinical, ruthless showing in the wake of Ryan Gravenberch's 62nd-minute red card.

Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku scored in the space of three minutes, before Rayan Cherki capped off a sensational team move.

Liverpool started brightly, yet City went closest to an opener when Antoine Semenyo's drilled cross skimmed through the six-yard box.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into action at the start of the second half, with Liverpool having three shots in the space of a minute.

Donnarumma denied Lewis Koumas and Gravenberch before Alexis Mac Allister curled wide.

Haaland then spurned a brilliant chance when he was put through by Semenyo, but the match turned as Gravenberch received a harsh second booking for a challenge on substitute Doku.

City did not look back from there. Within three minutes, Haaland had slammed in a first-time finish after Doku's shot was deflected into his path.

Three minutes later, Doku curled a sublime finish over the top of Alisson.

Cherki added further gloss in the 78th minute, slotting home after a sensational move that involved 41 passes - the longest sequence resulting in a Premier League goal since Phil Foden netted against Nottingham Forest in September 2023.