UCL: Man City smash Sparta Prague, Liverpool extend winning run

Manchester City smashed Czech First League champions Sparta Prague 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium.

Phil Foden put the hosts in front within three minutes, before an Erling Haaland brace in the second half helped settle the nerves.

John Stones added a fourth midway through the second half, while Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes converted from the spot in the closing moments to round off an emphatic European night.

Victory took the 2023 winners to third on the table with seven points from three games — two points behind second-placed Liverpool and surprise leaders Aston Villa.

The fine start ensures City are on course to secure an automatic spot in the last 16 as one of the top eight teams.

City manager Pep Guardiola hailed his side for the impressive win.

“I am enjoying a lot the way we are playing lately,” he said.

“We are working to attack better and better and better, it’s a question of being patient.

“We score four goals in Bratislava — five goals here was unexpected for me.”

Manchester City continue their Premier League title defence on Saturday afternoon at the Etihad, with online bookmakers paying -833.33 for the Citizens to beat Southampton (+1800).

Liverpool extend winning run in Champions League

Liverpool extended their perfect start in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Bundesliga side RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena in Germany.

The only goal of the encounter was scored in the 27th minute by Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez, who got on the end of Mohamed Salah’s header across goal.

Following wins over AC Milan and Bologna, Liverpool are second only to the in-form Aston Villa on goal difference.

Speaking after the victory, Liverpool boss Arne Slot felt his side could have registered a more comfortable win.

“I don’t think we started the game well in the first 10 or 15 minutes, but after that I liked a lot what I saw,” the Dutch tactician said.

“Many, many, many times we played through their press, opened up their midfield and went for an attack.

“That led to the first goal, that led to a few chances – more than a few and then in the end it’s a pity that you still need your two centre-backs to play such a big game and your goalkeeper to make two such important saves.

“A game like this should have been ours after 60, 70 minutes and it wasn’t. That’s why the last 20 were still difficult for us.”

Liverpool will be in London on Sunday for a Premier League bout with title hopefuls Arsenal, and top sports betting sites have the Reds as slight outsiders at +190 to beat the Gunners (+150).

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