Liverpool, City end in stalemate

LONDON (AP):

English Premier League title favourites Liverpool and Manchester City can usually be relied on to provide open and expansive games with goals aplenty. Yesterday's 0-0 draw at Anfield, however, was a drab affair that only came to life in the closing stages.

City substitute Leroy Sane was sent sprawling by Virgil van Dijk with five minutes remaining and, just when it seemed as though the visitors might snatch victory, Riyad Mahrez sent his penalty sailing way over the crossbar.

It was the former Leicester forward's fourth penalty miss in six attempts and summed up a match that failed to live up to expectations.

"He had the courage to take the penalty, in training he shoots perfect penalties, but sometimes it happens," City manager Pep Guardiola said. "Last season we lost here, and this season we drew, maybe next season we will win."

The result left both unbeaten teams locked together with Chelsea at the top of the standings on 20 points from eight games, two ahead of fourth-place Arsenal, who are level on points with north London rivals Tottenham.

Eden Hazard was the inspiration as Chelsea, also undefeated this season, cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.

Belgium playmaker Hazard scored the first and set up the third for substitute Alvaro Morata, while in-between, Ross Barkley claimed his first Chelsea goal.

In Sunday's other game, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang each netted twice as a resurgent Arsenal enjoyed a sixth straight league victory with a 5-1 rout of Fulham at Craven Cottage.