Resilient Chelsea Hold Liverpool at Anfield to Share Points

• City hammer Arsenal 5-0 to leave Gunners at bottom of Premier Leave

Femi Solajawith agency report

Chelsea left Anfield with a precious point on Saturday evening, after playing the entire second half down to 10 men in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

The Reds started the game strongly, but the wind was knocked out of their sails on 22 minutes, when Kai Havertz met Mason Mount’s corner, flicking a looping header beyond Alisson Becker and into the far corner of the net.

Liverpool were awarded the chance to level proceedings when Reece James blocked a clear goalscoring opportunity on the line with his arm, earning himself a red card in the process, and Mohamed Salah tucked away the resulting spot-kick.

Jurgen Klopp’s side pushed for an early goal in the second half, and Diogo Jota came close with a header from Salah’s delicious cross, only for the ball to fly over the bar. Virgil van Dijk then had a pop, but Edouard Mendy was able to turn the shot away.

The Reds threw everything at the Chelsea backline, but the Blues stood firm, meaning both sides had to settle for a point at Anfield.

The result left the duo with seven points but West Ham United now lead the pack with a better goal difference.

Elsewhere, ten-man Arsenal were completely outplayed by Manchester City in a 5-0 defeat to send the Gunners to the bottom of the Premier League.

It is the first time since 1954 that the Gunners have lost their three opening games of the league season and this match was effectively over by half-time.

City captain Ilkay Gundogan and striker Ferran Torres scored in the first 12 minutes and any hope Arsenal had of an unlikely comeback was ended when midfielder Granit Xhaka was sent off for lunging into a challenge on Joao Cancelo.

A trademark teasing run from £100m man Jack Grealish set up Gabriel Jesus for an easy third just before the break, then Rodri guided home a fourth from 20 yards just after it.

Such was his side’s total control that City manager Pep Guardiola had used all three substitutes within 16 minutes of the second half starting. It turned into an extended keep-ball session for the hosts, who finished off the rout with Torres’ second six minutes from time.

Guardiola’s counterpart and former assistant Mikel Arteta looked shell-shocked in the other technical area as Raheem Sterling – twice – Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez wasted opportunities to increase the margin of victory still further.

By the end, Arsenal had managed a single shot – off target – and 19% possession.

They are still to score in the Premier League this season and immediately after the international break play Norwich, the team they replaced at the foot of the table.