Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1,000th match as a manager in perfect fashion as Manchester City produced a commanding performance to brush aside Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

In a clash between two sides chasing Premier League leaders Arsenal, City were in complete control from start to finish, moving up to second and reducing the Gunners’ lead to four points.

Erling Haaland once again took centre stage, continuing his phenomenal scoring run with his 28th goal of the season across club and international duty. The Norwegian had earlier spurned a chance to open the scoring when his penalty was saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Liverpool goalkeeper having conceded the spot-kick for fouling Jeremy Doku.

Haaland made amends in 29 minutes, rising highest to power a header into the far corner from Matheus Nunes’ precise cross after a sweeping team move. The goal was notably his first ever against Liverpool in a game started by Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool thought they had drawn level just before half-time when Van Dijk headed in Mohamed Salah’s corner, but the effort was ruled out for offside, with Andy Robertson adjudged to have obstructed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view.

City doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time as Nico Gonzalez’s strike from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off Van Dijk, wrong-footing Mamardashvili and nestling into the net.

Jeremy Doku, who had been a constant menace throughout, capped a brilliant display after the break with a dazzling solo effort — cutting inside before curling a sublime right-footed shot into the far corner from 20 yards.

It was a statement victory for Guardiola’s men, perfectly befitting the milestone occasion, as City tightened their grip on the title race and ended Liverpool’s recent run of form.

Sompaonline.com