Manchester City ripped Wolverhampton Wanderers to shreds at the Etihad Stadium in Saturday’s Premier League showdown, a sublime 5-1 win capped off by a four-goal haul from Erling Braut Haaland.
The commanding victory sent a clear message to title rivals Arsenal, who still lead the Cityzens by a slender one-point margin, although Pep Guardiola’s relentless troops have a game in hand.
Haaland opened the floodgates in the opening quarter-hour, coolly converting a penalty after Rayan Ait-Nouri fouled Josko Gvardiol.
The Norwegian then forced Jose Sa into a brilliant save. But he wouldn’t be denied a brace, rising above Max Kilman to head home Rodri’s delightful cross just after the half-hour mark.
The 23-year-old completed his hat trick on the stroke of half time. He won and converted his second penalty to record a remarkable 21st career hat-trick.
It was also Haaland’s third hat-trick of the season. The Norwegian has already netted nine hat-tricks in all competitions for City and would hit double figures if he bags one more in the final three games.
That would be quite a remarkable achievement for the ex-Borussia Dortmund marksman, who has established himself as the most lethal striker in the world.
Wolves pulled one back after the break as Hwang Hee-Chan capitalised on an Ederson howler.
However, it was nothing short of a consolation as Haaland re-established City’s three-goal lead barely a minute later, clinically dispatching his 25th Premier League goal of the season.
Haaland was a menace to the Wolves backline and they would have been relieved when he was replaced by Julian Alvarez in the dying embers. But the Argentine had plans of his own.
Alvarez celebrated his 100th City appearance with a coolly taken finish as Guardiola’s side set a new club record of 43 home games unbeaten in all competitions.
Man City player ratings
Ederson (6/10) – Largely uninvolved but had himself to blame for not keeping a clean sheet.
Kyle Walker (6/10) – Didn’t have much defensive work but contributed to City’s free-flowing attack with the occasional eye-catching pass.
Manuel Akanji (7/10) – A solid performance from the Swiss defender. Was also useful in midfield.
Nathan Ake (6/10) – Impressed in the first half but was caught napping for Wolves’ goal.
Josko Gvardiol (8/10) – Has been in impressive form in recent weeks and was good value for winning the first penalty.
Rodri (9/10) – Dominated the midfield with aplomb and bagged two deserved assists.
Mateo Kovacic (7/10) – A decent outing for the Croat. Was key to City’s final-third prowess.
Bernardo Silva (7/10) – Proved too much for Wolves to handle with his nimble footwork and eye for a pass.
Kevin De Bruyne (6/10) – Had a rare off day in a game where City ruthlessly dominated.
Phil Foden (7/10) – Didn’t affect the game in his usual dazzling manner but still delivered a lovely assist.
Erling Haaland (10/10) – Ruthless and relentless. Could have easily scored a double hat-trick.
Substitutes
John Stones (6/10)
Jeremy Doku (N/A)
Jack Grealish (N/A)
Matheus Nunes (N/A)
Julian Alvarez (N/A)