Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 in first game since guilty verdict as super-sub Jeremy Doku shines

Manchester City have beaten Liverpool 3-0 in their first game since being found guilty of 114 charges of breaching Premier League rules. Super-sub Jeremy Doku proved to be the difference-maker, getting Ryan Gravenberch sent off before causing a ricochet that was finished by Erling Haaland. The Belgian then got on the scoresheet with a stunning strike, as Rayan Cherki made it three thanks to an incredible move by the away side. City handled the hostile Anfield atmosphere and go three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say An energetic start propelled by the hostile Liverpool crowd saw the Reds start the better of the two, with every touch City took met by a chorus of boos. The first flashpoint occurred 12 minutes in after a foul by Ruben Dias on youngster Lewis Koumas as Alexis MacAllister reacted by pushing Elliot Anderson, who refused to give the ball back to the Reds. Referee Chris Kavanagh tried to keep his cards in his pocket early on, knowing he was going to have a busy day with many moments of tension. Marc Guehi got caught in a moment of confusion with Gianluigi Donnarumma after a hopeful ball in by Milos Kerkez nearly caused a mix-up in the City box, before the centre-half cleared it. ### LATEST SPORTS NEWS - Max Verstappen cruises to victory in Singapore and wins back-to-back Grand Prix - Former F1 mechanic shares experience of San Marino 1994 and impact race had on Michael Schumacher - Ex-Man City star says club should be punished over seven-year period for Premier League rules breach Victor Munoz looked lively in the first half-hour, linking up well on the right-hand side and was Liverpool's brightest spark going forward. Enzo Fernandez had a half-decent effort on goal from distance to test Alisson for the first time, which the Brazilian was equal to. The conclusion of the first half saw City feel like they had weathered the Anfield storm, in a first 45 that lacked quality on the pitch. Less than three minutes into the second half, the game came to life after a brilliant move by Bradley Barcola rolled through Koumas. The youngster fired a strike goalwards, which was well saved by Donnarumma. A flurry of shots followed, with Gravenberch and MacAllister both testing the keeper as the Reds started to put pressure on the Citizens. Up the other end, Antoine Semenyo drove forward and put in a wicked delivery, which Iliman Ndiaye nearly turned home before Kerkez cleared. The best chance of the first hour came when Semenyo rolled through Haaland, but he swung his close-range effort wide. The turning point happened with just under half an hour to go, as substitute Doku went steaming forward, being brought down by Gravenberch, who was already on a yellow card. The risky challenge saw the referee brandish a second yellow card, forcing Liverpool to play the remaining third of the match with 10 men. Moments later, Haaland made it 1-0 with an instinctive strike as the ball fell to his stronger left foot, unleashing a bullet past Alisson, who had no time to react. His dad, Alf-Inge Haaland, and Noel Gallagher went ballistic with the City fans as the Anfield faithful fell silent. One soon became two as Doku produced a rocket, whipping a right-footed curler into the top-right corner. The Belgian proved the difference-maker off the bench, with his energy and explosiveness giving Liverpool problem after problem. The third was the best of all, as Josko Gvardiol and Rayan Cherki linked up brilliantly in a stunning team move, tucked home by the Frenchman in one of the goals of the season. The Kop made their feelings known just before the final whistle, with a chorus of "cheats" being shouted towards the Citizens. City saw out the contest to take all three points in a brilliant second-half display, heavily influenced by the second yellow card. More to follow... Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter