Manchester City get early Xmas gift

Manchester, December 23

Erling Haaland scored his 24th goal of the season but it was Nathan Ake’s first that clinched Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Liverpool in the English League Cup.

Kevin De Bruyne, one of six City starters coming off World Cup duty, set up both goals and Riyad Mahrez scored just after halftime to help City reach the quarterfinals.

De Bruyne, part of Belgium’s squad that failed to advance from the group stage in Qatar, crossed to Haaland to open the scoring in the 10th minute and later sent a cross to the far post, where Ake headed home in the 58th at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool twice fought back to equalise on goals by Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah, respectively, but their title defence is over after Darwin Nunez missed several good chances in front of the net.

The victory keeps Pep Guardiola’s team on course for a fifth cup title in six seasons.

Haaland showed signs of rustiness when he fired an early chance over the bar, but the Norwegian quickly made amends with a 10th-minute volley to make it two-dozen goals in 19 appearances overall. An unmarked Carvalho made it 1-1 in the 20th after a pass from James Milner, who left the game with an injury before halftime.

The teams traded goals early in the second half. Mahrez curled home a left-footed shot before Nunez set up Salah’s equaliser. — AP