Manchester, England - In a display of tactical mastery and attacking prowess, Manchester City defeated Liverpool 3-0 in a Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The victory, played amidst persistent rain, marked Pep Guardiola's 1,000th game as a manager, a milestone celebrated in style by his dominant City side.

The win propelled Manchester City to second place in the league standings, closing the gap on leaders Arsenal to just four points. Meanwhile, Liverpool's defeat saw them slip to eighth, intensifying the pressure on their title aspirations.

City's performance was a statement of intent, showcasing their credentials as genuine title contenders. The victory was comprehensive, with goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku sealing the win.

Haaland, who earlier missed a penalty, opened the scoring with a header in the 29th minute, marking his 99th Premier League goal. Gonzalez doubled the lead just before halftime with a deflected strike. Doku, who was named player of the match, added a third in the 63rd minute with a stunning shot from outside the box.

Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly in the first half. He praised the team's defensive structure and their ability to control the game with the ball. He also acknowledged Nico O'Reilly's impressive performance against Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged his team's struggles in the first half, attributing it to City's high pressing game. Slot also voiced his disagreement with the referee's decision to disallow a goal by Virgil van Dijk.

Despite missing a penalty, Haaland showed his resilience by scoring later in the match. Doku's impressive performance further highlighted City's attacking depth and his goal was particularly memorable. Gonzalez's goal, while deflected, contributed to City's commanding lead.

Guardiola also commented on Rodri's injury situation, emphasizing the need for patience as the midfielder recovers. He praised Rodri's positive influence on Nico Gonzalez, who has been filling in as the defensive midfielder.

With this convincing win over a major rival, Manchester City have sent a clear message to the rest of the Premier League. Guardiola's tactical brilliance continues to shine, and his team looks poised to mount a serious challenge for the title.