Maresca Urges Manchester City to Focus on Results Amid Financial Scandal
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has urged his players to concentrate on winning matches rather than being distracted by the club’s ongoing financial controversy, following a convincing 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
City delivered an impressive performance on Sunday in their first match since an independent commission issued a verdict concerning more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The club’s potential punishment remains uncertain as the appeal process continues.
Maresca has made an excellent start since taking over from Pep Guardiola, winning all eight of his matches in charge across competitions. The latest victory moved Manchester City three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Speaking after the match, Maresca acknowledged the challenges his squad had faced in recent weeks but praised the players for maintaining their focus.
He said the team needed to learn how to handle external pressure while creating its own positive headlines through performances and victories. He added that the celebrations among City supporters after the final whistle reflected the importance of the result.
City Capitalise on Liverpool Red Card
Manchester City took control after Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off around the hour mark following two quick yellow cards.
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki scored within a 13-minute period to secure a commanding victory for the visitors.
The result was particularly significant because City had managed to win at Anfield only once since 2003 before this encounter.
Maresca described the 3-0 triumph as an important result for the entire club, including the coaching staff, players and wider organisation.
The Italian also dismissed suggestions that uncertainty surrounding the financial case had reduced his enjoyment of the victory. He said his priority remained preparing the team and winning matches, expressing hope that he could discuss the situation further once the appeal had been resolved.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola suffered his first defeat in charge of the Reds. His team struggled after Gravenberch’s dismissal and now sit ninth, nine points behind the league leaders.
Iraola argued that Liverpool had performed better before the red card but acknowledged that Manchester City took advantage of their numerical superiority in the closing stages.
Crystal Palace Defeat Nottingham Forest on Glasner’s Return
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park, spoiling Oliver Glasner’s return to his former club.
Forest made a strong start when Dan Ndoye opened the scoring in the third minute. However, the visitors failed to convert further opportunities, allowing Palace to recover.
Japan international Daichi Kamada equalised in the 41st minute with his first Premier League goal. Jefferson Lerma then put Palace ahead in first-half stoppage time before Yeremy Pino added a third goal in the 59th minute.
Glasner had previously guided Palace to an FA Cup triumph over Manchester City in 2025 and a UEFA Conference League title in May before leaving at the end of last season.
His departure followed reported disagreements with the club’s hierarchy over transfer policy. He subsequently took charge of Nottingham Forest.
Palace supporters initially welcomed their former manager but later directed chants towards him as Forest fell to defeat.
Glasner expressed frustration with his team’s failure to convert scoring opportunities, saying the result was disappointing given the number of chances Forest had created.
The victory marked Pierre Sage’s first home league win as Crystal Palace manager. Palace climbed above Forest into 12th place, while Forest remained 14th.
Hull City and Everton Share the Points
In another Premier League fixture, Hull City and Everton played out a 2-2 draw at the MKM Stadium.
Hull took the lead in the 48th minute when Joe Gelhardt capitalised on an error by Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Everton responded through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall seven minutes later before Thierno Barry put the visitors ahead in the 68th minute.
However, substitute Mohamed Belloumi restored parity for Hull in the 74th minute, ensuring the hosts earned a valuable point.
Everton remained unbeaten in six consecutive league matches and occupied fifth place in the standings. Newly promoted Hull, meanwhile, continued their encouraging start to the campaign, having lost just one of their six matches.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic praised his players’ determination, highlighting their ability to recover after falling behind and secure a share of the points.
The weekend’s results kept Manchester City at the top of the table, while Crystal Palace strengthened their position with an important home victory and Everton continued their unbeaten run.
