Manchester City underlined the huge gulf in quality between themselves and Manchester United on Sunday as Liverpool showed their support for absent team-mate Luis Diaz, whose parents were kidnapped in Colombia. Old Trafford paid tribute to late United great Bobby Charlton ahead of kick-off, with supporters unfurling a banner reading: “The best English footballer the world has ever seen”. But memories of past glories failed to translate onto the pitch, with the home side thoroughly outplayed by the champions, who did not need to get out of second gear in their 3-0 win.
Champions City made the most of the early series and were awarded a penalty after VAR spotted a foul on Rasmus Hojlund’s Rodri as the ball was crossed into the area from a free kick.
It was the first penalty Manchester City ever conceded at Old Trafford in the Premier League in the 27th meeting between the teams.
Erling Haaland stepped up and scored from the spot, his twelfth goal of the season in all competitions.
City goalkeeper Ederson saved a piledriver from Scott McTominay before Andre Onana produced heroics at the other end as Haaland looked certain to head home.
But the Norwegian striker made no mistake just after half-time and headed in Bernardo Silva’s cross.
Phil Foden made it 3-0 with ten minutes to go after being set up by Haaland.
Kudos to Liverpool
Earlier, Liverpool swept aside Nottingham Forest with the same score.
Goals from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez before half-time and Mohamed Salah’s effort in the second half ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side maintained their 100 percent home record in the Premier League this season.
Jota held up Diaz’s number seven shirt after he scored. The Colombian was left out of Liverpool’s squad following the kidnapping incident in his home country.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday that the winger’s mother had been rescued but the search for his father was still ongoing.
“Luis was with us at the hotel and then went home,” Jota told the BBC. “It’s a very difficult situation and I don’t know how anyone would react if it happened to you.
“He went to play. I played in his place and I showed him his shirt to show that we are with him and hope that everything will be fine.”
Liverpool finished the day fourth in the table, behind leaders Tottenham, Arsenal and City.
High-flying fifth-placed Aston Villa won their twelfth home game in a row in the Premier League, beating struggling Luton 3-1.
Unai Emery’s side made little work of their opponents, with goals from John McGinn and Moussa Diaby giving them the upper hand before Luton captain Tom Lockyer put through his own net.
“For me it is still a long process here and I will want to work on improving as always,” Emery told Sky Sports.
“Of course I’m happy, but I’m still serious, serious in the way I want to build here and improve even more.”
Brighton lost further ground after their sparkling start to the season.
The south coast club took a 1-0 lead through Evan Ferguson, but Fulham leveled through midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal of the match as Everton beat West Ham 1-0 to give themselves breathing space above the relegation zone.
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