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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021 Slick Man City crush Liverpool

Kane lifts mood for Spurs • Leicester draw blank at Wolves

LONDON: Manchester City left books in the 49th minute after Liverpool’s title defense in tatters as Sterling’s incisive run unhinged the Ilkay Gundogan’s double and two costly Liverpool defense. Sterling found mistakes from Becker inspired Foden inside the Liverpool area and the leaders’ dazzling 4-1 when his low shot was parried by win, while starred in Alisson, Gundogan was on hand to Tottenham’s 2-0 victory against West thump home from close-range. Bromwich Albion yesterday. Inspired by Liverpool were gifted a penalty in the Gundogan’s goals and ’s styl- 63rd minute after City defender Ruben ish display, City moved 10 points clear of Dias allowed to latch fourth placed Liverpool after their first onto Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long pass win at since 2003. and responded by pulling him down. The troubled champions were blown Salah took the penalty himself, showing away by ’s side, who Gundogan how to do it as he shot high became the first team to score four times into the net for his 22nd this season. in a league game at Anfield in 12 years. But Alisson made an even bigger mistake City hold a five-point lead over second than Dias in the 73rd minute when the placed Manchester United and have a Liverpool keeper’s sloppy pass was game in hand on their local rivals as they intercepted by Foden. eye a third title in four seasons. They Foden made a superb run through the have won 14 successive games in all heart of the Liverpool defense before competitions to equal the record for an cutting back for Gundogan to finish English top-flight club, set by Preston in from virtually on the line. Alisson’s 1892 and Arsenal in 1987. nightmare wasn’t over and in the 76th Despite the prolonged absences of minute he again conceded possession and Sergio Aguero, with a woeful pass. This time, Bernardo LIVERPOOL: Manchester City’s English Phil Foden (center) runs through the Liverpool defense at City have shrugged off their slow start to Silva was the beneficiary and he Anfield yesterday. — AFP the season and sit in pole position to win chipped a cross to Sterling, who headed the title. In stark contrast, Liverpool are into the empty net. England midfielder had lost their previous three Premier the scoring in the second half at the the best strikers in the world. Period,” in disarray after losing three consecutive Foden capped the rout in the 83rd League games to put their top four Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kane’s Mourinho said. “There is nothing else to home league games for the first time minute, cut in from the right to blast past hopes in peril. Revitalized by Kane’s 20th goal in all competitions this season say. The team depends a lot on him, we since 1963. They have won just two of the shell-shocked Alisson. earlier than expected return from an took him to 208 goals in 317 Tottenham can’t hide that. their last nine league matches as injuries ankle problem suffered against appearances - level in joint second Leicester remain third after a 0-0 Kane back in style and fatigue take their toll. Liverpool, Tottenham got back to win- place alongside Bobby Smith in the draw at Wolves. made his Gundogan blasted a 38th minute Jose Mourinho admitted Tottenham ning ways just when the under-fire club’s all-time scoring list. The England return from injury off the bench for the penalty into the Kop after Fabinho’s trip “depend” on Kane after the Tottenham Mourinho needed it most. captain’s milestone goal was followed final half hour and had Leicester’s best on . But the Germany striker delivered a dominant display on Kane had missed the last two games, by a Son Heung-min strike moments lat- chance in stoppage-time when he head- midfielder got back in Guardiola’s good his return from injury. Mourinho’s side but he made up for lost time by opening er to kill off West Brom. “He is one of ed wide from close-range. — AFP