Reds in fine form

23 Sep, 2018 - 00:09 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

LIVERPOOL maintained their perfect start to the season as they returned to the top of the Premier League table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Southampton.

An own goal from Wesley Hoedt (10) set them on their way before Joel Matip’s header (21) and Mohamed Salah’s close-range strike (45+3) had the game wrapped up by half-time.

Xherdan Shaqiri was heavily involved on his full debut – it was his shot that led to Hoedt’s own goal and he crashed the free-kick off the bar that allowed Salah to tap in the rebound – before he was replaced at half-time. There was a mild concern for Liverpool after the break as Virgil van Dijk went off with what appeared to be a rib injury but, despite that, they cruised through the remainder of Jurgen Klopp’s 600th league game as a manager to continue their 100 per cent start to the season. Elsewhere Sergio Aguero marked his 300th Manchester City appearance with his 205th goal for the club as the champions thumped Cardiff City 5-0.

Fresh from signing a one-year contract extension, Aguero tucked in City’s opener (32) after he was picked out by Bernardo Silva, who scored with a fine looping header three minutes later.

Ilkay Gundogan curled in an unstoppable effort (44) and was then lucky to escape injury before the break when Joe Ralls caught the German’s knee with a challenge that saw the Cardiff midfielder receive just a booking.

In the second half, Riyad Mahrez tapped in his first City goal (67) before scoring his second late on (89) as Pep Guardiola’s side responded to their midweek Champions League defeat to Lyon in perfect fashion. – Skysports

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