Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca roared in delight as he embraced his coaching staff at the full time whistle after his side dismantled Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday. Referee Chris Kavanagh added just three minutes of stoppage time after City overwhelmed Andoni Iraola's side in the final half an hour.
For large spells, the 3-0 scoreline did not look to be on the cards. Backed by a vocal home support seeking to intimidate City in their first match since being found guilty of more than 100 charges by the Premier League, Liverpool matched the Blues. But the longer the match went on, the more the visitors grew into the game and the more likely they looked to win it. City blitzed their opponents with three goals in 13 minutes after Ryan Gravenberch's red card to continue their 100 per cent start to the season.
Cherki and Anderson shine for City
Post-match, Iraola attempted to save face by claiming his side were the better team for 60 minutes, up to the point Gravenberch was sent off for a naive second yellow card. But that view of the game will not hold much weight in the blue half of Manchester.
Rayan Cherki was the architect of a lot of City's best attacking moments. According to Opta, the Frenchman finished the game with 88 touches, took five shots, generated a 0.91 xG and scored a superb third for City after sending the fresh legged Jeremie Frimpong off the pitch with neat footwork. He also ended the game having made the most passes into the final third. Cherki would admit that having extra space afforded to him thanks to Gravenberch's dismissal helped, but the Frenchman has become integral to creating opportunities for his team.
Cherki has now bagged four goals and two assists in the Premier League. His creativity and end product is proving instrumental for City and leaves questions as to how Phil Foden, who returns from suspension on Wednesday night against Paris Saint-Germain, works his way back into the team.
Anderson and Doku deliver key contributions
Once again, Elliot Anderson was imperious for City. He was awarded the man of the match by Sky Sports and continues to show he can fill the considerable gap left behind by Rodri, while living up to his eye-watering price tag. Anderson was involved in more duels (18) than any player on the pitch, winning 12 of them, a match high. He won possession back more than any other City player (six times) and cemented his role as the heartbeat of this team with the most touches (104) and passes (81). He also won more fouls than anyone else (eight), including one that earned Gravenberch his first booking.
One of the most pleasing takeaways for Maresca was the introduction of Jeremy Doku. The Belgian returned to fitness with a cameo against Sunderland before the international break. Even with the options at Maresca's disposal, it was surprising not to see him in the starting line-up at Anfield, especially having sat out the international break. He was introduced during Liverpool's best spell of the game, just after half time, and moments later drew a foul from Gravenberch to end his day early.
In a little over half an hour, the Belgian completed five dribbles, attempted 17 passes, had a shot deflect into the path of Erling Haaland for City's first before curling in the Blues' second. His directness and pace was a handful for Ronald Araujo who, having been booked, did not know how to cope with him.
Record-breaking cameo and growing momentum
Interestingly, Opta noted that Doku became the first substitute to score a goal, complete five dribbles and win three fouls in a Premier League match, since Eden Hazard in May 2016 for Chelsea against Tottenham. That game handed Leicester the title and if Doku can continue to produce those performances, he could hand City further silverware of their own.
It was a simple response from Maresca to bring the Belgium international on, but it paid off in a big way. With the spirit he is cultivating at the Etihad Stadium, along with the quality across the pitch, City are becoming a formidable force in the Premier League.
