Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. Premier League.
Etihad Stadium.
Report and free match highlights as Man City thrashed Wolves 5-1; Erling Haaland scored four goals - including two penalties - and Julian Alvarez added fifth; Hee-Chan Hwang scored consolation for Wolves; City three wins from record fourth Premier League title in a row
Sunday 5 May 2024 10:22, UK
Erling Haaland produced a breathtaking performance as Manchester City beat Wolves 5-1, scoring four goals as the champions moved to within three wins of a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Arsenal's comfortable victory over Bournemouth earlier on Saturday extended the Gunners' lead at the top of the table to four points but Pep Guardiola's team - who hold a game in hand - were never panicked.
City led after just 12 minutes when Haaland converted his first of two penalties, although Craig Pawson's decision to penalise Rayan Ait-Nouri for catching Josko Gvardiol was described as "harsh" by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher and "terrible" by Gary O'Neil.
Haaland doubled his tally with a towering header from Rodri's pinpoint cross and had his hat-trick before half-time with his second penalty, belatedly awarded by Pawson following a pitch-side review that showed Nelson Semedo had clearly fouled the striker.
Hee-Chan Hwang looked to have reignited the contest after Ederson's error, only for Haaland to douse the flames with a brilliant fourth moments later.
There was still time for Julian Alvarez to add a fifth on his 100th City appearance as the champions took another step towards the title - and chipped into Arsenal's superior goal difference.
At the age of 23, Haaland now has a remarkable 21 career hat-tricks, with six of those coming in the Premier League.
The striker was given a helping hand for his first goal by referee Pawson, who pointed to the spot under pressure from City players after a collision between Gvardiol and Ait-Nouri.
The pair seemed to run into each other as Gvardiol's shot flew over the bar but VAR did not advise the official to overturn his decision, and Haaland took advantage by firing in the penalty.
Jose Sa prevented him from adding a second but Haaland would not be denied, perfectly placing a header beyond the Wolves goalkeeper in the 35th minute.
The hat-trick was complete in first-half stoppage time when Haaland again beat Sa from the spot, although Pawson initially waved away the claims after Semedo bundled into the back of the striker.
The referee then took an eternity at the monitor before eventually penalising what appeared to be a clear foul - ending Wolves' lingering hopes of a comeback.
City's intensity was lowered after half-time and Ederson handed the visitors a lifeline when he flapped at a cross, with Hwang burying the rebound.
But City's response was emphatic, with Haaland scoring his fourth - and best - goal of the game, bursting into the box before firing the ball into the far corner.
Haaland no doubt harboured hopes of becoming the first player to score six goals in a Premier League game but Guardiola had other ideas, replacing him with Alvarez, who promptly added City's fifth.
Haaland expressed his frustration at being replaced after taking his place on the bench but his mood will surely improve when he takes a look at the table, which shows a sixth title of Guardiola's reign remains firmly in City's hands.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola said: "I didn't have the feeling we were really good. Especially in the first half, we lost a lot of simple balls.
"But against teams with high pressing we can counter attack - always we are a dangerous team.
"There's just one week left - one week, three games. Nine points, we will be champions. Seven points, six points, three points - Arsenal will be champions."
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil said: "I have to take responsibility for the way the game unfolds. We made a lot of errors - unforced ones - which gave Manchester City some really good chances.
"The second goal, losing the ball how we did. The last goal, losing the ball how we did. The goal straight after we scored, where we're late on the pressing phase. Mistakes against this team can be punished and they were - they punished us ruthlessly.
"I'm keen to state the officials have no real part to play in the way the game ends up. We're fully responsbile for the performance and the mistakes we make.
"But the first penalty I thought was a really poor decision - terrible. Gvardiol probably plays as big a part in the contact with Rayan as Rayan does. I don't know what Rayan's meant to do - he can't vanish.
"You don't see those given very often, when the shot's been hit over the bar and there's just a coming together.
"I thought the second penalty was a penalty but I was surprised how they reached that - I thought on field they would give that. I was surprised it was overturned and deemed clear and obvious but they do make the right decision."
Sky Sports' Zinny Boswell:
Erling Haaland is supposed to be having an off season. His four goals against Wolves, taking him to 25 in the Premier League, reminded us of just how lethal he can be. Cole Palmer, his closest competition for the Golden Boot, is five adrift.
Criticism about Haaland's all-round game had started to grow after some frustrating performances in big games this season. Haaland took out those frustrations on Wolves on Saturday, delivering the type of ruthless performance that became the norm last season.
Living up to a record haul in his maiden Premier League campaign was never going to be easy. Injuries have led to a disjointed campaign for the 23-year-old, but he's still managed to keep up an impressive scoring rate. Haaland's a victim of his own success.
He seems to have benefitted from the time off taken to recover from a muscle problem. Since returning, Haaland has scored five goals in just over 100 minutes. His response to being subbed was one of a player back to their best, chomping at the bit to stay on.
"He was furious," said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp. "Sometimes we talk about the finesse and little touches that he doesn't do so well but he's an animal in front of goal. This guy is built differently. He is a phenomenon."
Perhaps the scariest takeaway from the win over Wolves is the confirmation that Haaland's had a sub-par season by his standards. Yet he's still head and shoulders above the rest of the goalscorers. Where would he and City be if he'd been at his best again?
Haaland propelled City to the treble last season with 52 goals in all competitions. That's what he's capable of. Saturday was a reminder of that.
Manchester City have three matches left in their quest for the Premier League title. They travel to Fulham on Saturday May 11 - kick-off 12.30pm - before visiting Tottenham on Tuesday May 14, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm. City then finish the season at home to West Ham on Sunday May 19; kick-off 4pm.
Wolves host Crystal Palace on May 11 - kick-off 3pm - before finishing their season at Liverpool in Jurgen Klopp's final game in charge on May 19; kick-off 4pm.
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