Man City back in groove, Liverpool rule Merseyside

MANCHESTER, England : Manchester City avoided a third successive Premier League defeat as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 to return to the top of the table and Liverpool enjoyed bragging rights yet again over Everton as they won the Merseyside derby 2-0 on Saturday.

Newcastle United roared into the top five as they crushed Crystal Palace 4-0 and there were wins for Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The return to Premier League action after the international break was overshadowed, however, by the announcement that former England and Manchester United great Bobby Charlton had died at the age of 86.

United visit Sheffield United later on Saturday.

Champions City's serene early-season progress had been jolted before the stoppage with defeats by Wolves and Arsenal but they returned to winning ways against a dangerous Brighton side who made life difficult.

City began in dominant fashion and needed only seven minutes to take the lead as Jeremy Doku's pace down the left set up Julian Alvarez to scuff a shot past Jason Steele.

Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland had gone almost a month without scoring for City but he was presented with a chance in the 19th minute after sloppy Brighton play and made no mistake to smash home a left-foot finish.

Brighton did not wilt, though, and got lifeline when Ansu Fati slotted home in the 73rd minute but City held out despite defender Manuel Akanji being sent off deep in stoppage time to secure their 21st consecutive home win in all competitions.

In the day's early kickoff, Liverpool were given a huge helping hand as Everton's Ashley Young was sent off for the visitors in the first half.

But they still took 75 minutes to go ahead thanks to Mohamed Salah's penalty following a handball by