Manchester City defeated 10-man Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday to restore their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, in their first match since an independent commission found the club guilty of breaching financial rules.
Second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki secured the victory for City, who have won all six of their league matches this season.
Liverpool’s task became more difficult after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off for a second bookable offence shortly after the break.
Haaland opened the scoring with 25 minutes remaining, converting a deflected effort from Doku, before the Belgian winger curled a superb strike into the top corner three minutes later.
Cherki completed the scoring after exchanging passes with Josko Gvardiol before finishing past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
The result marked the first defeat for Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola since he took charge of the club. The Spaniard was without injured players Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool briefly threatened at the start of the second half when Lewis Koumas, making his first Premier League start, was denied by City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The match took place amid renewed scrutiny of City’s financial affairs following an independent commission’s finding that the club and its Emirati owners had arranged deals described as “sham” to inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than £900 million between 2009 and 2018.
City are appealing the verdict, and no sanction has been imposed. Potential consequences could include a points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League, depending on the outcome of the proceedings.
The alleged breaches occurred during a period in which City won three Premier League titles and other trophies, prompting criticism from rival clubs over the impact of the club’s spending on English football.
Liverpool were among City’s principal title rivals during that period, finishing runners-up to them three times over the past 12 years.
City arrived at Anfield under police escort amid an anticipated hostile reception from home supporters. Liverpool fans lined the streets, chanting against the visitors, while banners and merchandise mocked the club’s financial controversy.
One banner at the Kop end read, “a generation of supporters cheated.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, City delivered a commanding performance to maintain their unbeaten start to the league campaign and strengthen their position at the top of the standings.
