City nail Liverpool

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Manchester City recorded their biggest victory over Liverpool in 73 years yesterday, winning 3-0 in the English Premier League, as the owner who funded the team's massive spending spree watched his investment live for the first time.

Gareth Barry put Man City ahead in the 13th minute at Eastlands after being set up by fellow England midfielder James Milner, whose arrival last week took the team's spending to about $180 million since it finished fifth last season.

City led 2-0 when Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina failed to stop Micah Richards' header from a corner in the 52nd that Carlos Tevez tried to divert in.

Tevez converted a penalty in the 68th after Martin Skrtel had fouled Adam Johnson.

The emphatic win for Roberto Mancini's side came at a good time, with Abu Dhabi owner Sheikh Mansour attending his first match since buying the club in September 2008 and subsequently spending huge sums on players.

"It's the first time the Sheikh has been here and he witnessed a fantastic night," Mancini said. "I was pleased to show him a good game, that was important. The mentality was the most important thing for us, not the formation or anything else, the mentality can win us games."

In stark contrast, Liverpool are searching for new owners to clear its debts and strengthen the squad.