MANCHESTER City got its English Premier League (EPL) title defense off to a winning start with a deserved victory over an Arsenal side playing its first competitive game without Arsene Wenger since 1996.

Raheem Sterling put City ahead in the 14th minute when he got the ball on the corner of the box, cut beyond two players and rifled home from 20 meters. Riyad Mahrez went close to scoring on his league debut for City when his free kick was saved by Petr Cech, who denied Aymeric Laporte from the follow-up.

It was a tough first game for Unai Emery at Arsenal.

The Gunners had few clear-cut chances — with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and substitute Alexandre Lacazette shooting wide from outside the box.

City players were brilliant in parts — and controlled in others — and killed off the game when Benjamin Mendy, who assisted both goals, pulled the ball back for Bernardo Silva to blast in a second. Pep Guardiola’s men, who looked good in the 2-0 Community Shield win over Chelsea, were in fine form again.

Sterling, who was selected on the left wing over Leroy Sane, opened the scoring when he received a pass from Mendy, making his first Premier League start since September.

The England winger received the ball on the left corner of the box, beat Hector Bellerin and Matteo Guendouzi and then rifled a 20-meter shot past Cech, who must have been unsighted as he barely moved.

It was his 50th Premier League goal and a good start to the season after being harshly criticized during England’s World Cup semifinal run.

In another match, Mohamed Salah set Liverpool on its way to a 4-0 victory over West Ham in an assertive start to the Premier League season by Juergen Klopp’s side. Salah scored 44 times in his first season at Liverpool and took only 19 minutes to get off the mark at Anfield. Sadio Mane netted in first-half stoppage time and eight minutes after the break. (SD-Agencies)