Erling Haaland’s first-half treble helped Manchester City race into a three-goal lead against the newly-promoted Nottingham Forest at the Etihad.
The Norwegian scored his second consecutive hattrick in four days, with the first of his three goals on the night coming in the 12th minute off a Phil Foden cross – a flick at the near post that left Dean Henderson rooted to the spot.
Haaland tapped in his second from close range in the 23rd minute after the Citizens had won the ball back high up the pitch and worked it quickly into the feet of the forward. His third, in the 38th minute, was a simple header inside the six-yard box, flicked into the net after the ball was headed onto his head by John Stones.
Joao Cancelo got on the scoresheet five minutes after the interval, his effort a stunner from outside the box – and perhaps the goal of the mid-week fixtures. Julian Alvarez scored his first in Premier League 15 minutes later after being sent through on goal by Riyad Mahrez and a second in the 87th after pouncing on a rebound from close range, thus completing the 6-0 rout.
At Anfield, Liverpool fell behind in the 38th minute to Newcastle, the Magpies’ big-money signing Alexander Isak opening the scoring with a thumping finish from inside the box. The Swede would find the net again shortly after the restart, but that time his celebrations were cut short because of an offside in the build-up.
Liverpool rallied from a goal down to turn the scoreline around. Roberto Firmino scored the equalizer a minute past the hour, side-footing a pass from Mohamed Salah into the corner. The Egyptian was involved again in the Reds’ second, heading the ball into the air which was subsequently blasted home by Fabio Carvalho from close range in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time, sparking delirium inside the ground.
In London, Arsenal continued their stunning form for their fifth consecutive win of the season, this time over a struggling Aston Villa. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the 30th minute, tapping in the rebound after Emiliano Martinez had spilled Granit Xhaka’s shot.
Douglas Luiz leveled matters in the 74th minute with a goal directly from the corner. But parity last just three minutes, as Gabriel Martinelli converted a cross from Bukayo Saka at the other end to seal the points for the Gunners.
