MANCHESTER: Liverpool will not be able to secure the Premier League title in the Merseyside derby at Everton on Sunday after outgoing champions Manchester City easily defeated Arsenal 3-0 in the second match after the three-month pandemic hiatus.

Both teams finished the game with 10 men. City lost Eric Garcia to injury late in the second half after Arsenal had earlier seen David Luiz sent off on an appearance as a first-half substitute which turned into a nightmare.

The Brazilian’s poor control gifted City’s opening goal to Raheem Sterling in first-half stoppage time. Then Luiz was sent off early in the second half for pulling bnack Riyad Mahrez to concede a penalty which Kevin de Bruyne converted. Phil Foden scored the third in stoppage time.

By that time City – having used all their five subs – were down to 10 men after a serious head injury to rarely-used Garcia following a heavy collision with his own goalkeeper Ederson.

City were well worth the three points. They always appeared quicker, sharper and fitter than a lacklustre Arsenal team who were undermined by two early injuries which needed substitutions ahead of David Luiz’s antics.

Their victory means Liverpool need two victories to assure the title succession.

############