Erling Haaland scored four goals – including a first-half hat-trick – as champions Manchester City crushed Wolves 5-1 to retain control of the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side needed to respond to leaders Arsenal’s comfortable victory over Bournemouth earlier on Saturday and they did so emphatically, with a clinical take-down of their hapless visitors at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland struck twice from the penalty spot in the first half, either side of a towering header, before adding a fourth with a stunning strike.
Substitute Julian Alvarez also got on the scoresheet, while Wolves’ consolation came from Hwang Hee-chan.
The victory lifted City, chasing an unprecedented fourth successive league crown, back within a point of the Gunners with a game in hand.
Haaland’s outstanding display took his tally for the campaign to 36 in all competitions and lifted him to 25 – five clear of his nearest challengers – in the race for the Premier League’s Golden Boot. His hat-trick was also his ninth in City colours.
For Wolves’ players there was little escape from the onslaught, although manager Gary O’Neil may have been relieved his touchline ban kept him hidden from view.
City’s determination was clear from the outset and it came as no surprise that they soon took the lead, although there was debate over their first penalty after 12 minutes.
Josko Gvardiol was shaping to shoot as Rayan Ait-Nouri attempted to clear and the pair collided. The decision could have gone either way but referee Craig Pawson awarded the spot-kick and Haaland confidently tucked away.
Aided by some poor Wolves defending, City could soon have had more as Kevin De Bruyne shot wide and Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa pushed away a Haaland header. Phil Foden dribbled through the area only to lose control at the vital moment.
The inevitable second came in the 35th minute as Rodri won possession, continued his run and exchanged passes with De Bruyne before lofting a cross to the back post where Haaland rose magnificently to head past Sa.
The Norwegian completed his treble in first-half stoppage time with a second penalty after he was brought down by Nelson Semedo.
This time Pawson was not convinced but pointed to the spot after reviewing the challenge on the pitchside monitor.
Wolves, who offered little before the break, pulled one back against the run of play after 53 minutes.
City keeper Ederson, who overcame a shoulder injury to start, palmed a cross from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde into the path of Hwang and the Korean turned the ball into the net.
Yet any hopes Wolves – or even Arsenal – might have had of a fightback were dispelled immediately and resoundingly by Haaland.
The forward latched onto a long ball from Foden and cut inside to blast a ferocious shot into the far corner from just inside the area.
Haaland almost had a fifth moments later as he forced a fine save from Sa but, after also denying Mateo Kovavic, the keeper was beaten again by Alvarez five minutes from time.
Raith Rovers boss Ian Murray is confident his side will improve in the cinch Premiership play-off final after beating Partick Thistle on penalties.Thistle won 2-1 at Stark’s Park and came closest to winning the tie late on before the game went to penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw.Rovers captain Scott Brown saw his side’s first penalty saved by David Mitchell, but Jack McMillan and R...
Southampton manager Russell Martin expressed hope ugly scenes involving rival fans would not tarnish a “beautiful moment” after leading his side to Wembley with a 3-1 win over West Brom.Adam Armstrong’s brace following Will Smallbone’s opener propelled Saints into the Championship play-off final against Leeds on May 26.Home fans spilled on to the pitch to celebrate moving a...
Partick Thistle suffered more play-off penalty woe as Lewis Vaughan’s spot-kick fired Raith Rovers into a promotion decider.The Jags were on course to reach their second successive cinch Premiership play-off final after David Mitchell saved Raith’s first penalty from Scott Brown at Stark’s Park after a 3-3 aggregate draw.But Jack McMillan missed the target and Ricco Diack hit the...
Adam Armstrong struck twice as Southampton booked a place in the Championship play-off final with a thumping 3-1 victory over West Brom on a raucous evening at St Mary’s.Midfielder Will Smallbone set Saints on course for a Wembley showdown with Leeds on May 26 by lashing home the opener four minutes into the second half.Top scorer Armstrong completed the job with a fine finish followed by a ...
Dumbarton earned promotion to cinch League One after a 2-2 draw with Spartans resulted in a 4-3 aggregate win for the Sons in their play-off final.The visitors held a narrow 2-1 advantage after Tuesday’s first leg and simply needed to avoid defeat to win promotion, but fell behind after just three minutes at Ainslie Park, when Cameron Russell nodded home Callum Booth’s cross.Celebrati...
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. Klopp's last day at Anfield Mbappe (free)Alaba (free)Rudiger (free)Valverde (5 million)Lunin (8 million)Kross (25 million)Modric (30 million)Camavinga (30 million)Arda (30 million)Endrik (35 million)Courtois (40 million)Vinicius (45 million)Rodrigo (45 million)Militao (50 million)Tchouameni(80 million) Bellingham (100 million)Don Florentino Perez. When X...
Manchester United could be prepared to hire a German to replace Erik ten Hag.The Red Devils are said to be in talks with Bayern Munich's departing coach this week.Per Sky Germany, the Red Devils are talking with Thomas Tuchel's management team.Tuchel, who worked at Chelsea in the Premier League, is set to leave Bayern despite the club's attempts to get him to stay.The outlet adds that United's pre...
· France have named their 25-man squad for Euro 2024.· Top talents like Michael Olise, Moussa Diaby, and Jean-Clair Todibo have all been left out.· Chelsea duo Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi will also be watching the tournament from home.With the European Championships now less than a month away and firmly on the horizon, some of the continent's top nations have begun to reveal the shor...
Germany men's national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann has announced a 27-man preliminary squad to take to EURO 2024 - but with only 26 spots, that means one man will still be left out.Sport Bild has a guess as to who that might be, and the answer might surprise you. Via @iMiaSanMia:The one player that will be left out of the final 26-man squad for the Euros will most likely be either Maximilian...
The Netherlands have unveiled their 30-man preliminary squad for Euro 2024, with head coach Ronald Koeman leading the charge. UEFA has recently increased squad sizes to 26 players for this year’s tournament, requiring at least three goalkeepers. Although not the favorites, the Oranje could be the dark horses, having secured second place in their qualifying group behind France.Koeman inherite...
- 1 Danilo Orsi nets hat-trick as Crawley thrash MK Dons to reach play-off final
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Marc Skinner wants to stay at Manchester United after ‘historic’ FA Cup win
- 4 Sterling considering leaving the club
- 5 Major Liverpool star still an option for Real
- 6 Mourinho to join Fenerbahce?
- 7 Football is cruel – St Johnstone boss Craig Levein left to rue missed chances
- 8 Alex Scott looks stunning in bold see-through outfit
- 9 Celtic run riot against Kilmarnock to win another Premiership title
- 10 Marcus Rashford's new £700,000 Rolls Royce Wraith revealed