Reds bounce back from City defeat

Brendan Rodgers marked his 100th game as coach, presiding over an irresistible Liverpool performance to hammer a toothless Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in their Premier League face-off at White Hart Lane yesterday.

Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard and Alberto Moreno were on target as Liverpool bounced back from Monday's defeat by champions Manchester City with a classy performance that ended Tottenham's unbeaten start to the season.

Enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli made amends for his wasteful finishing on his Liverpool debut, with his impressive all-round performance and high workrate.

"It was great link-up play by Daniel (Sturridge) and Jordan (Henderson).

"The manager has been telling me to get inside the post and try to add to my goal tally and that's what I've done," Sterling said.

"Mario and Daniel up front are always a threat and I've got to try to be in the box to get some goals."

The result moved fifth-placed Liverpool level with Tottenham in the standings, with six points.

Balotelli nearly enjoyed a dream start inside three minutes but his header was parried by Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Spurs had been joint Premier League leaders after winning their opening two league games without conceding a goal.

But this time they were left reeling by Liverpool's now trademark explosive start.

Tottenham took just one point from eight games against last season's top four, conceding 27 goals and scoring just two, and Sterling's goal signalled the start of another forgettable day.

Aston Villa suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat against third-tier Leyton Orient in the League Cup on Wednesday.

But yesterday they showed no lingering effects of that defeat.

Andreas Weimann and Gabriel Agbonlahor scored to preserve Villa's unbeaten start to the league season with a 2-1 victory against Hull City at Villa Park.

The lively Agbonlahor opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a pinpoint finish from Weimann's clever lay-off.

The hosts doubled their lead after 36 minutes when Weimann capped a flowing move with an accurate shot.

Villa were coasting but were made to sweat when Nikica Jelavic headed home in the 74th minute to set up a tense finale.

• In the late match Arsenal and Leicester City drew 1-1 at the King Power Stadium.