Manchester City's Erling Haaland struck four times as they remained on course to win a fourth successive Premier League title with a 5-1 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Hours after Arsenal's 3-0 win over Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola's men responded with a resounding victory that pulled them to within a point of the North Londoners at the top of the standings, but with a game in hand.
Haaland -- who boosted his league scoring lead to 25 with the first four-goal haul of his career -- converted from the penalty spot in the 12th minute and doubled City's lead in the 35th when he headed home at the far post from Rodri's cross.
The 23-year-old Norwegian converted again from the spot just before halftime. Hwang Hee-chan pulled one back for Wolves in the 53rd. But a minute later, Haaland smothered any hopes of a comeback by the visitors with his fourth. Substitute Julian Alvarez completed City's scoring in the 85th.
Mail Sport's Jack Gaughan rated the players.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1)
Ederson - 6
Daft goalkeeping – wafting a hand at a harmless cross – gifted Wolves a goal back after half time. Then completed a stunning pass to open the game up so City could score.
Kyle Walker - 7
Flew forward from right back and gave Wolves real problems when doubling up with Bernardo Silva in the final third.
Manuel Akanji – 7.5
Steady Eddie at the back once again and yet more proof as to why Pep Guardiola picks him every week. Solid in possession.
Nathan Ake - 7
Generally comes to the fore towards the end of seasons and this was largely another calm display from Mr Dependable.
Josko Gvardiol - 8
Really relishes City’s slight tactical tweak that allows him to stay high and wide. Looking more and more dangerous in attacking areas.
Rodri – 9
One mistake but imperious. Very strong breaking up of play to set City on their way for Erling Haaland’s second.
Mateo Kovacic - 8
Measured and does his job with minimal fuss. Lovely through ball for Haaland in the build-up to the second penalty.
Bernardo Silva – 7.5
Seemed livelier than he has in recent weeks. A box of tricks on the right-hand side and his timing of pass was on point.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7.5
Dangerous every time the ball was under his spell. One of those days when he could have ended up with multiple assists.
Phil Foden - 9
Keeps threatening to score a wonder goal when slaloming through challenges. Bright in the pockets and takes defenders with him. Top assist for Haaland’s fourth.
Erling Haaland – 9.5
Top header for the second. Eye-catching burst of pace in winning the second penalty. A beauty for his fourth. Thirty-six goals in what has been described as an average season.
Subs
John Stones (for Ake, 69) – 6.5, Jeremy Doku (for Silva, 80), Jack Grealish (for Foden, 80), Matheus Nunes (for De Bruyne, 79), Julian Alvarez (for Haaland, 82)
Wolves (3-5-2)
Sa 6; Semedo 4.5, Kilman 5, Toti 5; Air-Nouri 5, Traore 5.5, Gomes 6, Lemina 5 (Bellegarde 46, 6), H Bueno 6 (S Bueno 71, 6); Hee-chan 6.5 (Chirewa 87), Cunha 5.5 (Sarabia 76)
Subs not used: Bentley, Doherty, Gonzalez, Okoduwa, Fraser
Referee: Craig Pawson 6
HuNcHotallguy123
0
Senseless comment he scored against Bayern, Arsenal, Manchester United so those are weak teams right some people don’t even think before commenting you’re mad 😡
tampumi
1
He scored in many big teams like Bayern, Arsenal, Man u etc the boy is still young
tampumi
0
disappeared in a big match and showoff in Mickey mouse match. Halland is not a big game player and he's overrated. those who compare him with mbappe do not have a brain in football.
Hes still young hell fix that, he banged 3 at Manchester last season hell grow
Vezbklmnru
0
It make no sense that every season coming to the end City gets exactly the same results, no matter the opposition. Even a child will stand up to the bully if it's a continue process, but for Man City, they keep riding over everyone. Never had the EPL ever been like this, this is clear match fixing.
well that's the best compliment you can give to Guardiola and his team.
Emmel17
0
It make no sense that every season coming to the end City gets exactly the same results, no matter the opposition. Even a child will stand up to the bully if it's a continue process, but for Man City, they keep riding over everyone. Never had the EPL ever been like this, this is clear match fixing.
then make it the 116th supposed charges. You haven't mentioned the real reason why it is happening again with you guys.
malablata
0
It make no sense that every season coming to the end City gets exactly the same results, no matter the opposition. Even a child will stand up to the bully if it's a continue process, but for Man City, they keep riding over everyone. Never had the EPL ever been like this, this is clear match fixing.
Dehbckopst
0
disappeared in a big match and showoff in Mickey mouse match. Halland is not a big game player and he's overrated. those who compare him with mbappe do not have a brain in football.
these one is the biggest of the big game lol mickey mouse
KidRockz
3
Madrid need this kind of hungry predator .. he really a beast..
kaobceikru
0
he doesn't show up in big matches
so which tell me the team that Halland never score them
emondorock
0
Easy run home...title is theirs....it's only Spurs and they are as weak as shite
ApeckGh
0
Eyah... most people like you can't even kick football. So Man U had weak defenders, what of Leipzig, Bayern Munich nko? If a player is off for awhile, that doesn't disqualify him
he doesn't show up in big matches
ApeckGh
0
I feel so offended because this is coming from a City fan
Don't be, but he's kind of right
FunChris
1
he can only score against weak defenders
Eyah... most people like you can't even kick football. So Man U had weak defenders, what of Leipzig, Bayern Munich nko? If a player is off for awhile, that doesn't disqualify him
colepalmar
6
The String Puller himself
colepalmar
0
disappeared in a big match and showoff in Mickey mouse match. Halland is not a big game player and he's overrated. those who compare him with mbappe do not have a brain in football.
I feel so offended because this is coming from a City fan
NTkaigoulenHS
1
disappeared in a big match and showoff in Mickey mouse match. Halland is not a big game player and he's overrated. those who compare him with mbappe do not have a brain in football.
Jompruz
1
So true 👍 but we have used it for him
Doakpruyz
1
he can only score against weak defenders