MY ACCOUNT
Erling Haaland struck again as Manchester City went top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Wolves at Molineux.
First-half goals from Jack Grealish and Haaland put the visitors in control, while Phil Foden sealed the points midway through the second half. Haaland has now scored in his first four Premier League away games, setting a new record.
Wolves played just under an hour with a numerical disadvantage after Nathan Collins was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Grealish.
Pep Guardiola’s City side have now won each of the last five league meetings between these teams, netting 16 goals while conceding just three.
City scored five at Molineux in May and took just 55 seconds to break the deadlock this time, with Foden and Kevin De Bruyne combining during a swift counter before Grealish applied the finishing touch to the latter’s cross.
Goncalo Guedes was denied from a tight angle at the other end before City doubled their lead in the 16th minute. Another quick break saw Bernardo Silva release Haaland, who drilled a low 20-yard shot beyond Jose Sa.
Wolves’ task became even more difficult in the 33rd minute when Collins received his marching orders after clattering into Grealish.
The Premier League’s lowest scorers this season with just three goals, the hosts had failed to net in the second half of their previous seven matches in the competition. True to form, they barely threatened after the break.
City took advantage by sealing the points in the 69th minute. Haaland and De Bruyne were involved in another sweeping counter by the visitors, with Foden flicking home the latter’s perfectly timed centre.
What does it mean? Unbeaten City go top
With Arsenal away at Brentford on Sunday, reigning champions City maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season as they moved top, above the Gunners.
City have also gone 22 away league games without defeat, while it is now just one win in 14 for Wolves.
Four-midable Haaland
Another game brought another goal and another record for Haaland, whose remarkable start to life at City continues.
Scoring his 14th goal of the season already, the striker showed he is a deadly finisher wherever he plays. Scoring in four consecutive away games at any time is a rare feat, and for Haaland to do so in his first four in the Premier League is remarkable.
The Norway international has now scored 100 times in 99 appearances since leaving Salzburg and making his debut for Borussia Dortmund in January 2020.
150 up for De Bruyne
After scoring four goals in this fixture last season, De Bruyne notched up two assists today as he put the ball on a plate for Grealish and Foden.
The midfield maestro, who registered game-high tallies of crosses (six) and key passes (four), has now been directly involved in 150 Premier League goals – scoring 58 and assisting 92.
What’s next?
The Manchester derby is next up for City after the international break as they welcome United to the Etihad Stadium on October 2. The previous day sees Wolves travel away to West Ham.
