PREMIER League title favorites Liverpool and Manchester City can usually be relied on to provide open and expansive games with goals aplenty. Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Anfield, however, was a drab affair that only came to life in the closing stages.

City substitute Leroy Sane was sent sprawling by Virgil van Dijk with five minutes remaining and, just when it seemed as though the visitors might snatch victory, Riyad Mahrez sent his penalty sailing way over the crossbar.

It was the former Leicester forward’s third penalty miss in six attempts and summed up a match that failed to live up to expectations.

“He had the courage to take the penalty, in training he shoots perfect penalties, but sometimes it happens,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “Last season we lost here, and this season we drew, maybe next season we will win.”

The result left both unbeaten teams locked together with Chelsea at the top of the standings on 20 points from eight games, two ahead of fourth-place Arsenal, which is level on points with north London rival Tottenham.

Eden Hazard was the inspiration as Chelsea, also undefeated this season, cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.

Belgium playmaker Hazard scored the first and set up the third for substitute Alvaro Morata, while in between Ross Barkley claimed his first Chelsea goal.

In Sunday’s other game, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang each netted twice as a resurgent Arsenal enjoyed a sixth straight league victory with a 5-1 rout of Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool and City canceled each other out as they shared their first 0-0 draw at Anfield since 1986.

Mahrez’s late penalty miss means Liverpool has now gone four matches in all competitions without a victory.

City was also denied a penalty claim in the 20th minute when Sergio Aguero appeared to be fouled by Dejan Lovren but, that incident apart, there was little to get the crowd excited in the first half. (SD-Agencies)