Manchester Metropolis have disregarded the absence of Erling Haaland to maintain the stress on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a convincing 4-1 win over heavyweight rivals Liverpool.
Two objectives early within the second half from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan gave Metropolis a decisive edge earlier than Jack Grealish wrapped up victory in an absorbing contest on the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Liverpool, so used to being Metropolis’s chief title challengers themselves, had taken an early lead by means of Mohamed Salah however Haaland’s substitute Julian Alvarez shortly leveled and the guests drained after the break.
The ultimate rating underlined the hole that has opened up between the golf equipment this season with champions Metropolis now 22 factors forward of the aspect that took them to the wire final yr.
A lot of the build-up to the sport had targeted on the health of the prolific Haaland, who has scored 42 objectives in all competitions for Metropolis this season.
The Norwegian did not get better from a groin downside in time however absolutely appeared on with satisfaction from a personal field as his teammates excelled with out him.
The hosts confirmed intent from early on with Gundogan moving into a great place solely to miscue a volley, Rodri capturing at Alisson Becker and Riyad Mahrez curling a free-kick narrowly vast.
But Liverpool confirmed struggle at first and, though Darwin Nunez was solely deemed match sufficient for a substitute function, have been a hazard on the break.
Salah made no mistake after one other fast counter-attack within the 17th minute.
Trent Alexander-Arnold launched a ball to Diogo Jota from deep and the Portuguese held it up within the space for Salah to race onto and thump a shot into the highest nook.
Metropolis leveled after an excellent, and game-changing, couple of minutes from Grealish.
Firstly, he was the one Metropolis participant to get again as Salah broke clear once more and he made a well timed interception because the Egyptian appeared to play in Jota.
Moments later, Grealish was concerned on the different finish, this time shedding a neat first-time cross for World Cup-winner Alvarez to show dwelling at shut vary.
Afer the break, Metropolis have been shortly into their stride as Mahrez discovered area on the suitable and centered for the inrushing De Bruyne to show in.
Metropolis have been relentless and took a agency grip on the sport by grabbing their third after 53 minutes.
Alexander-Arnold stretched to dam Alvarez’s preliminary shot however the ball rolled to Gundogan and the German might hardly miss from shut vary.
A dominant Metropolis finally grabbed a fourth when Grealish mixed with De Bruyne to slip dwelling and cap a wonderful particular person show.
