EPL: Manchester City 5-0 Liverpool

Gabriel Jesus celebrates the first of his two goals with Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League after a comprehensive 5-0 win over 10-man Liverpool, who had Sadio Mane sent off in the first half.

Sergio Aguero gave City the lead in the 24th minute before Liverpool were reduced to 10 men after Mane's high boot caught Ederson - who was stretchered from the field - in the jaw (37).

Gabriel Jesus (45+6, 53) extended the hosts' advantage either side of the break before substitute Leroy Sane rounded off the scoring with a late double (77, 90+1) as City inflicted Liverpool's first defeat of the season - their biggest under Jurgen Klopp in all competitions.

 

After their 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal, Liverpool started brightly with Mohamed Salah causing Nicolas Otamendi plenty of problems in the opening stages. In the 22nd minute Salah skipped past Otamendi, who was booked in the early stages, and burst into the penalty area, but the forward's weak effort was scooped up by Ederson at his near post.

The miss proved costly as City took the lead two minutes later, somewhat against the run of play. Kevin De Bruyne's inch-perfect pass dissected the Liverpool defence to release Aguero and the Argentine rounded Simon Mignolet to slot the ball home.

 

Then came the game's big talking point. Mane was released in behind the City defence but clattered into the on-rushing Ederson, catching the City 'keeper in the face with a high boot. Referee Jon Moss did not hesitate in brandishing a red card as Ederson left the field on a stretcher.

Things got even worse for the visitors when Jesus, who minutes earlier had an effort ruled out for offside, headed home De Bruyne's cross from close range as City doubled their advantage just before the break.

 

Liverpool switched to a back three at the break with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming on for his debut, replacing Salah, but the City onslaught continued.

Pep Guardiola's side had a second goal ruled out for offside after Aguero's toe-poke was chalked off but they did get their third minutes later when Fernandinho released Aguero, who unselfishly squared for Jesus to convert past Mignolet.

 

Liverpool's misery was compounded further in the 77th minute when Benjamin Mendy's pass picked out Sane and the Germany international's first-time finish flashed past Mignolet at his near post.

Sane grabbed his second of the game in stoppage time with a superb strike that picked out the top corner to round of an excellent afternoon for Guardiola's men and a miserable one for the visitors.