Premier League
Doku Shines As Manchester City Triumph Over Liverpool As Guardiola Marks 1,000th Game
Manchester City produced a commanding performance to dismantle Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, as Erling Haaland reached yet another milestone with his 99th Premier League goal.
Confident Start From City
From the opening whistle, Pep Guardiola’s side looked every inch the dominant force that had won nine of their last ten Premier League home games.
The visitors were immediately pinned back as Jérémy Doku tormented Liverpool’s backline with his pace and directness.
The early drama came when Giorgi Mamardashvili, making one of his toughest league starts yet, collided with Doku inside the box, gifting City a penalty.
However, the Georgian redeemed himself moments later by diving sharply to his right to deny Haaland from the spot. The save offered Liverpool a lifeline, but it was one they ultimately failed to grasp.
Haaland Breaks the Deadlock
City’s relentless pressure continued as Rayan Cherki and Doku both forced fine saves from Mamardashvili, and it seemed inevitable that the breakthrough would come.
It finally arrived in the 29th minute when Matheus Nunes delivered a pinpoint cross, met emphatically by Haaland’s towering header. The Norwegian’s 99th Premier League strike put City in firm control and set the tone for the rest of the contest.
Liverpool’s rare attacking spark before the break came through a Mohamed Salah corner that found Virgil van Dijk, who powered in a header. Yet joy was short-lived VAR intervened to rule out the goal after Andrew Robertson was adjudged offside, deepening Liverpool’s frustrations.
Van Dijk’s Own Goal Deepens Liverpool’s Woes
As halftime approached, City doubled its lead in fortuitous circumstances. Nico González’s low drive deflected cruelly off Van Dijk’s outstretched leg and into the net, leaving Mamardashvili helpless. It summed up Liverpool’s evening as reactive, disjointed, and second best across the pitch.
Doku Seals the Win With a Moment of Magic
After the restart, Arne Slot’s men briefly threatened a revival. Conor Bradley’s lively runs down the right created openings, but neither González nor Cody Gakpo could capitalise.
That mini-resurgence was abruptly ended by the sensational Doku, who cut inside from the left and curled a stunning effort into the far corner to make it 3-0.
The Belgian’s strike capped a sensational individual display, full of invention, trickery, and end product the embodiment of Guardiola’s attacking philosophy.
No Way Back for the Reds
Liverpool’s best late chances came through Dominik Szoboszlai, who forced a strong save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Salah, who clipped narrowly wide.
But the game was long gone by then. The Reds looked bereft of confidence, suffering yet another away defeat, their sixth in seven domestic outings, as they slid further away from the top four.
City Celebrates Guardiola’s 1000th Game in Style
For Pep Guardiola, the evening carried added significance. The 3-0 triumph marked his 1000th game in management and few could have scripted a more fitting performance.
The win lifted Manchester City to within four points of leaders Arsenal and reaffirmed their intent to reclaim the Premier League crown.
For Liverpool, however, it was another sobering reminder of how far they have fallen from their early-season promise under Arne Slot.
