Man City without Haaland, who was ruled out of the game with a groin injury demonstrated their all-round strength by coming from a goal down to win
By Kehinde Okeowo
Man City went within five points of league English Premier League (EPL) leaders, Arsenal, after beating arch-rival, Liverpool 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s 42-goal striker, Erling Haaland, was ruled out of the encounter with a groin injury, but Pep Guardiola’s men demonstrated their all-around strength by coming from a goal down against the Reds.
Liverpool began the brightest of the two sides and opened the scoring in the 17th minute after a pass from Diogo Jota was well finished by Mohammed Salah.
City responded devastatingly with the outstanding Jack Grealish, who made a crucial intervention on Salah when Liverpool had the chance to double their lead, crossing for Julian Alvarez to equalise after 27 minutes.
ALSO READ: Pepe queries Arteta’s decision to send him on loan
The home side took the lead for the first time in the game after a cross from Riyad Mahrez was scored by Kevin de Bruyne from close range.
John Stones delivered a masterclass in an unaccustomed role which saw him advance into midfield but also dropped back into defence when required, and with City in total control, Ilkay Gundogan added the third after a goalmouth skirmish.
Grealish puts the icing on the cake in the 74th minute after scoring a deserved goal from a De Bruyne’s cross to make it 4-1 to the home side.
Meanwhile, Arsenal whose 8 points lead has now been reduced to just five by Man City will take on Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium later today.
The Gunners will cross the 70 points mark and regains 8 points lead if they beat the relegation-threatened Whites, who are fighting for their survival.
