City, Fresh from a Ruling on 114 Breaches, Humiliate Liverpool, and Zakarić Rescues Vardar in the 93rd Minute

City after the verdict: three goals at Anfield and an appeal for "sporting justice"

Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules. The sanction isn't known yet, rivals are demanding a historic one, and the club has lodged an appeal, claiming the ruling is full of "material errors of law, principle and fact" and that "sporting justice" is on its side. The first answer, though, came on the pitch: Liverpool – City 0:3 at Anfield, in front of stands with "cheats" banners. Ryan Gravenberch got a second yellow card in the 62nd minute, Erling Haaland scored three minutes later, Jérémy Doku made it two in the 68th, and Rayan Cherki rounded off the scoring in the 78th. The question isn't whether City can play football. The question is whether the punishment arrives before their next title or after it.

United's worst start since 1986, Carrick on thin ice

Manchester United – Tottenham 1:1 at Old Trafford - against ten men, no less. Bryan Mbeumo put them ahead, Rodrigo Bentancur was soon sent off, and Dominic Solanke equalised in stoppage time. United have six points from six games, their worst top-flight start since the 1986/87 season, and are only three points above the relegation zone. It's the second home match in a row in which the team has dropped points against opponents down to ten men, after the derby in which they failed to make Phil Foden's red card count. Michael Carrick wants a more stubborn, more cunning team when they're ahead, the board is backing him for now, and the fixture list brings three away games in a row: Atlético Madrid, Leeds and Como. If results don't come, his seat could be empty before December.

Vinícius pulled hair and could miss El Clásico

Real Madrid beat Villarreal, but the night belonged to Vinícius Júnior. He came off the bench, had a goal ruled out after a VAR check, and in the 72nd minute was shown a straight red card for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair. The winner came from Yan Diomande, his first goal for the club after a move from Leipzig in August worth up to 120 million pounds. José Mourinho was raging on the touchline and didn't turn up for the press conference. Real trail Barcelona by six points after eight rounds, and Vinícius risks missing Sevilla and El Clásico on 25 October. He apologised to the fans, then accused the league of double standards. Double standards - or one unnecessary hand in someone else's hair?

Zakarić scores twice with his head: Vardar win without the "Komiti" in the stands

Champions Vardar visited bottom-placed Skopje in the ninth round and were losing at the break: Viktor Angelov scored in the 26th minute after a run by Ali Adem. Salvation came from Goran Zakarić. First he equalised with a header after an hour, and then, in the 93rd minute, headed in again from a cross from the left, for a final 1:2. All of it without their most loyal fans, the "Komiti", who are boycotting matches over disagreements with the club's management. Vardar have 17 points, level with Struga, who have a game in hand, while Shkëndija top the table on 20, despite a 1:1 draw with their namesake from Aračinovo. How long will the management pretend an empty stand isn't a message?

Stole Dimitrievski saves a point in Santander

Macedonia's national team goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski conceded twice at Racing Santander, but it was his stoppage-time save from Pablo García's shot that kept a 2:2 point for Valencia in the eighth round of La Liga. Dani Raba scored as early as the second minute, Yassir Zabiri and Iván Martín turned the game around, and substitute Otorbi equalised in the 65th minute. Hugo Duro missed the chance to win it from seven metres. The point came on the new coach's debut, but Valencia, on four points, are second from bottom. When the goalkeeper is a team's best player, that's praise for him and a warning for everyone else.