Pep Guardiola marked his 1,000th match as Manchester City manager in emphatic style, leading his team to a commanding 3–0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, moving City into second place in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland overcame an early penalty miss to score his 99th Premier League goal with a header, while Jeremy Doku ran riot on the wings, troubling Liverpool’s defence throughout the match.
Liverpool, who had shown promise earlier this season under Arne Slot, were outclassed and outworked in a one-sided encounter. With both clubs chasing leaders Arsenal, City demonstrated sharpness, clinical finishing, and relentless intensity, narrowing Arsenal’s lead to four points.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 29th minute, nodding in Matheus Nunes’ cross following a slick passing move, after having his penalty saved earlier by Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had fouled Doku in the box.
Liverpool thought they had equalized before halftime when Virgil van Dijk’s header from Mohamed Salah’s corner hit the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside as Andy Robertson obstructed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
City doubled the lead just before the break when Nico González’s long-range strike took a deflection off Van Dijk, wrong-footing Mamardashvili.
Doku completed his electric performance in the 62nd minute, curling a brilliant solo effort into the top corner from 20 yards to seal the 3–0 victory.
The result lifted Manchester City above Chelsea into second place, just four points behind Arsenal.
