Manchester City and Liverpool put down markers

Published at 07:48 pm August 12th, 2018

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling shoots at goal during their Premier League match against Arsenal in London Sunday Reuters

Manchester City won 2-0 away to Arsenal, who were sixth last season, and the country's highest spender Liverpool demolished West Ham United 4-0 at Anfield

Manchester City, the Premier League champion, and Liverpool, who are strongly fancied to challenge them this season, put down markers with impressive wins in their opening games of the new campaign Sunday.

City won 2-0 away to Arsenal, who were sixth last season, and the country's highest spenders Liverpool demolished West Ham United 4-0 at Anfield.

The champion, attempting to become the first team since Manchester United in 2009 to retain the title, were too good for an Arsenal side playing under new Spanish manager Unai Emery.

England's Raheem Sterling went past two weak challenges to put City ahead in the first quarter of an hour with his 50th league goal.

Soon after debutant Riyad Mahrez was substituted in the second half, having earlier forced Petr Cech into a good save, Bernardo Silva added the second goal in the 65th minute from an assist by Benjamin Mendy.

Mo Salah has scored 20 goals in his 20 #PL matches at Anfield for @LFC pic.twitter.com/U9hPRWuvKZ
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 12, 2018

City have now lost only one away game in the league - at Liverpool - of their last 21, and manager Pep Guardiola was delighted with them.

Emery, meanwhile, will know he has much to do, even before a difficult local derby with Chelsea next weekend.

Earlier Liverpool strolled to their usual victory over West Ham, whom they have now beaten 4-0, 4-1, 4-1 and 4-0 in the last four meetings.

Last season's Premier League top scorer Mo Salah was on target again, giving Juergen Klopp's side the lead after 19 minutes with a tap-in.

Poor defending cost the London side a second goal just before the interval, to Sadio Mane, who added a third after 53 minutes from an offside position.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge made it four just seconds after coming on near the end.

Sadio Mane is the first @LFC player to score in 3 consecutive opening top-flight #PL fixtures#LIVWHU pic.twitter.com/YtxeXB0JWN
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 12, 2018

West Ham's new manager Manuel Pellegrini gave debuts to five of their 10 close-season signings but his revamped team rarely threatened Liverpool's expensive new Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson.

In contrast, midfielder Naby Keita, who cost Liverpool 50m pounds ($63.84m) from RB Leipzig, was excellent throughout.

The result continued West Ham's dreadful record at Anfield, which now extends to one win in 46 league games. Liverpool have not conceded a goal in their last six home games in the league - since West Ham scored against them in February.

Sunday's other game was a goalless draw between Southampton and Europa League contestant Burnley.

New signing Joe Hart made some good saves for the visitor, as did Alex McCarthy in the home goal.