London (AFP)

Beaten by Tottenham for the first day, Manchester City reacted well on Saturday by crushing Norwich (5-0), while Liverpool and Brighton took the lead in the Premier League with six points in two matches by beating Burnley (2-0) and Watford (2-0).

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City sets the record straight

Jostled by the Spurs a week ago, the reigning champion quickly corrected the situation by crushing the promoted Norwich for his first home game of the season.

A habit for the men of Pep Guardiola, who had scored 14 goals against the Canaries in their last three meetings at the Etihad.

"The result is the consequence of the many good things that we have done. But we are not yet at our maximum, we still have a lot of things to fine-tune," however judged the Catalan after the match.

The match had started very badly with a goal against his own goalkeeper Tim Krul in the 7th minute, followed by the first achievement of Jack Grealish in his new colors.

The player at 100 million pounds (117 M EUR) was at the right time at the far post to push the ball to the bottom, with a little success and double the bet (2-0, 22nd).

Aymeric Laporte scored a third goal after a scramble on a corner (3-0, 64th), imitated by Raheem Serling (4-0, 70th) and Riyad Mahrez, both off the bench (5-0, 84th).

For Norwich, already largely beaten at home by Liverpool (3-0) last week and who must receive Leicester, 5th last year, in seven days, the start of the season is proving to be as complicated as the schedule left it to fear.

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Liverpool take the lead

In a full Anfield Road for the first time in nearly a year and a half, Liverpool has chained a second success in a row against Burnley (2-0) and takes the lead with six points, while the Burnley counter remains blank.

Senegalese striker Sadio Mané rejoices after his goal for Liverpool against Burnley on August 21, 2021 at Anfield Lindsey Parnaby AFP

"Everyone was impatient before this celebration of football and no one is going to leave their seat with any disappointment. Our dreams have been fulfilled in terms of atmosphere," said Jürgen Klopp after the match preceded by the first "You'll Never Walk Alone "started by the Kop 528 days ago.

Already very sharp at Norwich last week, the Reds have shown they will have to be counted on in the title race this season.

Braked last year by a cascade of injuries, especially in defense, Liverpool seems to have once again become this machine for piercing the defense with two well-constructed goals from Diogo Jota (1-0, 18th) and Sadio Mané (2-0, 69th).

In defense, Virgil van Dijk has once again become the control tower and launching pad for the Reds after a virtually blank season and Trent Alexander-Arnold has shown himself to be very leggy after returning from an injury that deprived him of the game. 'Euro.

In the cages, Alisson did the job by pushing back attempts by Josh Brownhill (20th), Jay Rodriguez (88th) and especially Ashley Barnes (90 + 4).

This success also allows the Reds to take revenge on Burnley who had interrupted their record of 68 league games unbeaten at home last season (0-1).

But it will obviously be necessary to judge them against stronger oppositions, starting with Chelsea, who will visit them next Saturday.

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Brighton wins, Everton spoils

Victorious at Burnley (2-1) last Saturday, Brighton is the only team, for the moment, to refuel with Liverpool.

The Seagulls beat the promoted Watford (2-0), with a goal from Frenchman Neal Maupay (2-0, 41st), released at the break due to injury.

Two victories against direct competitors for the maintenance that Brighton had ensured only 4 days from the end last season.

Joined twice by Leeds (2-2), Everton can however regret not joining the duo on the top step of the standings.

It was the first point for Marcelo Bielsa's team, as for that of Patrick Vieira, Crystal Palace, neutralized (0-0) by the promoted Brentford, Arsenal striker (2-0) at the start of the season, eight days ago.

Southampton will host Manchester United and Wolverhampton, Tottenham on Sunday at 3 p.m., before the Arsenal-Chelsea clash at 5.30 p.m.

On Monday, West Ham will host Leicester (9 p.m.).

© 2021 AFP