Source: eurosport.com/BY DESMOND KANE
Erling Haaland delivered a striker’s masterclass by scoring four goals in Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Wolves on Saturday.
The Norway international bagged a hat-trick in the first half, which included two penalties, before grabbing a stunning fourth after the visitors pulled a goal back through Hwang Hee-Chan. Julian Alvarez came off the bench to grab a fifth for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Erling Haaland smashed home four goals as five-star Manchester City destroyed helpless Wolves 5-1 at the Etihad to close the gap on leaders Arsenal to a point.
After Mikel Arteta’s side moved four clear with a 3-0 win over Bournemouth earlier in the day, Pep Guardiola’s men showed they are in the mood to become the first club to win four straight English titles with a glorious performance to reduce the gap.
Haaland converted two penalties (12′, 45+3′) either side of a powerful header (35′) in the first period before slamming a powerful shot into the net for a fourth (54′) seconds after Hwang Hee-Chan had netted for the under siege visitors on 53 minutes.
Haaland departed to a standing ovation from the home fans with his replacement Julian Alvarez adding the fifth on 85 minutes.
City break their all-time home record that saw them enjoy a 42-game unbeaten streak between December 1919 and November 1921.
But more importantly, they need only three more wins to claim a historic Premier League crown with Fulham (away), Tottenham (away) and West Ham (home) left between them and the English game’s biggest prize.
City move onto 82 points from 35 fixtures in avenging their 2-1 defeat at Wolves earlier in the season. The visitors were fortunate to ship only five goals with Gary O’Neil’s side in 11th place with 46 points from 36 matches.
TALKING POINT – HAALAND ATTITUDE SUMS UP CITY DOMINANCE
Erling Haaland joined Michael Owen and Andy Cole as only the third player in Premier League history to score two hat-tricks in the first half of a match. Only Gabiel Jesus has scored four goals for City in a quicker time, a minute less than Haaland in a 5-1 flogging of Watford two years ago.
Despite his latest magnificent outing, the Norwegian looked crestfallen when he was replaced by Julian Alvarez on 83 minutes to a standing ovation. But he was on his feet to applaud his team-mates when Alvarez added a fifth two minutes.
Hunger, desire and a pursuit of excellence are no better illustrated than in the displays of Haaland for his club.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – ERLING HAALAND (MANCHESTER CITY)
Too hot for Wolves to handle as he tucked away four goals to increase his incredible haul at City to 88 goals in 94 matches. He also moved on 25 goals Premier League goals for the campaign, five clear of Alexander Isak of Newcastle and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. The Norway forward appears to be heading for another season of glorious achievement at City both from a personal and professional perspective.
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester City: Ederson 6, Gvardiol 7, Ake 7, Akanji 7, Walker 7, Rodri 8, Kovacic 8, Silva 8, De Bruyne 8, Foden 8, Haaland 9 Subs: Stones 6, Grealish 6, Doku 6, Alvarez 7, Nunes 6
Wolves: Sa 7, Semedo 6, Kilman 6, Gomes 6, H Bueno 6, Gomes 6, Lemina 5, Traore 5, Ait-Nouri 5, Cunha 5, Hwang 6 Subs: S Bueno 6, Sarabia 6, Bellegarde 6, Chirewa 6