Darwin Nunez came off the bench to score twice as Liverpool snatched a sensational 2-1 English Premier League win over Newcastle United on Sunday as the Reds bounced back from a straight red card in the first half for captain Virgil van Dijk.

Having picked up an early yellow card, Trent Alexander-Arnold gifted Newcastle the opener in the 25th minute when he mis-controlled the ball, allowing Anthony Gordon to run onto it and slot it past Alisson Becker.

Van Dijk was sent off just over two minutes later, with referee John Brooks showing him a straight red card for fouling Alexander Isak on the edge of the box, and Newcastle looked set to end a run of 13 Premier League games against Liverpool without
a win.

The home side dominated possession but they failed to kill the game off, and in the 81st minute Nunez pulled them level before scoring an almost identical second in stoppage time to snatch the three points.

Manchester City moved to the top of the table with a 2-1 win at Sheffield United after Rodri scored an 88th-minute winner to secure their third win of the season.

With the scores level at 1-1 and the clock winding down, the ball came to Phil Foden in the United box and although the English midfielder had no control over it, Rodri stepped in to power a half-volley into the top corner.

City continued their perfect start as they moved on to nine points, two ahead of West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

City striker Erling Haaland missed a first-half penalty given for handball as his spot-kick hit the post.

But the Norwegian made amends just after the hour-mark when he opened the scoring with a close-range header from a cross by Jack Grealish.

Sheffield United equalised in the 85th minute when the hosts capitalised on a defensive error from Kyle Walker’s botched backheel clearance and Jayden Bogle fired an angled shot through the crowd and beat City keeper Ederson.

Rampant Villa

Matty Cash scored twice as Aston Villa picked apart Burnley, who remain without a point since their league return. Full-back Cash was the hero at Turf Moor, scoring two goals as Unai Emery’s men showcased why they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Written with inputs from Reuters