Overview
- Manchester City beat Napoli 2-0 at the Etihad, breaking the deadlock after a VAR-reviewed red card to Giovanni Di Lorenzo for denying Erling Haaland a scoring chance.
- Haaland became the fastest player to 50 Champions League goals, hitting the mark in his 49th appearance as he headed in from a deft Phil Foden flick.
- Jeremy Doku sealed the result with a solo strike as Foden’s central influence and Doku’s end product were singled out as key facets of City’s upturn following a 3-0 derby win at Manchester United.
- Liverpool edged Atletico Madrid 3-2 at Anfield with a stoppage-time winner from Virgil van Dijk, and head coach Arne Slot is weighing rotation decisions for the Merseyside derby, including fitness management for Alexis Mac Allister and choices at full-back and center-forward.
- Aston Villa remain without a league win despite Harvey Elliott scoring on his full debut in a Carabao Cup tie lost on penalties to Brentford, with his loan understood to include a £35m obligation to buy after 10 appearances as pundit Jamie Redknapp questioned Villa’s top-four credentials.