London (AFP)

Manchester City easily defeated Arsenal (3-0) on Wednesday for a return to the English football championship after a three-month hiatus, marked with tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and to caregivers who fought the Covid pandemic- 19.

As in the first match Aston Villa-Sheffield United (0-0) earlier, players, referees and staff members on the bench knelt on the ground at the kick-off, reproducing the gesture popularized by the movement which fights against racism and police violence.

Just before, they had respected a minute of silence in gratitude to the personnel of the British health service (NHS) for their efforts in the fight against the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus.

Tributes so similar that they gained in solemnity what they lost in spontaneity.

The fact that they take place with only 300 people in the Etihad Stadium which can accommodate almost 55,000 may also have lost a little of the collective emotion they should have generated.

- Sacre postponed for Liverpool -

But this is the new reality of football, at least for the next few weeks, and everyone, supporters and players alike will have to get used to it.

In sporting terms, this victory has the main effect of shifting by at least 24 hours a probable coronation of Liverpool which awaits its first title of champion in 30 years.

With a gap between the Reds and their runner-up to 22 points, a victory in the derby against Everton on Sunday will not be enough for the happiness of Jürgen Klopp's men.

They will have to win at Goodison Park and hope that City will lose at home the next day against Burnley.

This match also helped confirm what many feared: the players seem far from their usual physical level. They made many mistakes, like this pass missed 25 meters from his goals by Kevin de Bruyne but not exploited by the Gunners (26th).

And Citizen coach Pep Guardiola, who feared injuries from the lack of preparation, was confirmed in his fears, the match having spawned several.

In the 7th minute, midfielder Granit Xhaka twisted his ankle and was replaced by Dani Ceballos, while in the 24th it was his defense teammate Pablo Mari who gave way to David Luiz.

A replacement that had a major effect on the match since the Brazilian was behind the first two goals of the Skyblues.

First, he badly deflected a ball in additional time in the first act, allowing Raheem Sterling to score his first goal in 2020 -1-0, 45 + 1).

He then hung on the shoulder and in the penalty area Riyad Mahrez who ran to the goal, causing a penalty and his expulsion (50th).

De Bruyne was responsible for transforming it (2-0, 51st).

- Garcia evacuated on a stretcher -

Manchester City got very scared late in the game with the injury of Eric Garcia, holder in central defense alongside Aymeric Laporte.

On a long ball from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, the doorman of City, Ederson came out of his surface at full speed to free his head violently hitting his teammate who was coming in the opposite direction.

The defender remained long minutes on the ground, surrounded by the healers of the Citizens before being evacuated on a stretcher while the concern was visible on the face of his teammates.

Guardiola had just made his 5th change and City also finished at ten, which did not stop him from making the addition by Phil Fodden (3-0, 90 + 1).

A clear and unequivocal victory against the Gunners who only shot 3 times on goal without scoring. But for the emotion, the real one, we will iron.

© 2020 AFP