Manchester City kept pace with Arsenal in the dramatic Premier League title race with a 5-1 demolition of Wolves.
Arsenal won earlier on Saturday to pile the pressure on Manchester City but you wouldn’t be able to tell, as they calmly took Wolves apart as if everything wasn’t on the line.
Pep Guardiola’s side dominated from start to finish and hardly let Wolves get forward with their intense pressing.
Erling Haaland was the star of the show as he bagged a first-half hat-trick before adding a spectacular fourth after the break.
Here’s how Haaland and the rest of the players rated.
Ederson – 6
Dominant in the air to claim Wolves’ crosses into the box in the first half but then didn’t cover himself in glory for their goal.
It was his really soft punch straight Hwang Hee-chan that gave the Korean a tap-in.
Kyle Walker – 7
One lovely pass to set De Bruyne away and his pace managed to keep Wolves’ speedy forwards at bay for the most part.
Manuel Akanji – 7
Another quietly dependable performance as he kept Ruben Dias and John Stones out of the starting XI.
Nathan Ake – 6
Challenged by the pace of Wolves’ forwards on a couple of occasions and got really lucky Hwang was off-side when clear through after losing the ball with a slack touch.
But otherwise, some good defending, especially when he stooped low to head a dangerous cross wide.
Josko Gvardiol – 6
Won the penalty as his influence going forward continued to increase but his positioning was suspect for the Wolves goal after he was dragged inside and left his flank exposed.
Rodri – 9
Summed up what makes him the best in the world at what he does by pinching back the ball with a well-timed challenge and then sending a delightful cross to Haaland to nod in the second.
Rodri then got another assist late on as he again advanced up the pitch and slid in Alvarez to score.
That’s now 21 goal contributions for the Spaniard this season in addition to his pivotal defensive work. A more aggressive and advanced performance than usual and all the more exciting for it.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Bernardo was a constant threat down the right-hand side, sending several dangerous crosses into the box and creating overloads with lovely passing play.
Kevin De Bruyne – 7
Involved within 30 seconds and enjoyed the acres of space Wolves repeatedly gave him.
Often thrilling to watch thanks to the ease with which he beats opponents but probably would have been more clinical on a better day.
Mateo Kovacic – 7
A bit sloppy in possession at times by running into Wolves players rather than passing out, curious as he is excellent at playing through the press with quick passes under pressure.
Kovacic was really important positionally, though, as whenever Rodri pushed forward to win the ball high up the pitch, he would be there to cover the space left in behind.
Phil Foden – 8
Some sublime, incisive through balls to cut the Wolves back line open but the best of them all was a lofted pass to Haaland for his fourth. A stupendous ball that matched the quality finish.
Foden also had one mazy dribble that came close to resulting in a sensational goal of his own.
Erling Haaland – 10
Back to his ferocious best in his first start since injury and completed a hat-trick in the first half before adding a ridiculous fourth.
Two goals were from the spot but he won the second penalty with an explosive run through the Wolves defence, scored a towering header and then plucked the ball out of the sky before bending it into the top corner moments after Wolves got one back.
His link-up play was much sharper, too, and he was more involved than usual in general play. Now on 36 goals in his ‘underwhelming’ season.
Substitutes
John Stones – 5
Got some much-needed minutes under his belt but wasn’t able to get too involved in the game with Wolves not posing a threat.
Jeremy Doku – 6
Lively on the flank as he looked to make an impression in his brief cameo.
Matheus Nunes -7
Gave the away fans something to shout about as his introduction was loudly booed and he gave them even more reason to do so when his interception led to the fifth goal.
Jack Grealish – 5
Didn’t see much of the ball in the few minutes he was on the pitch.
Julian Alvarez – 8
Came on with less than 10 minutes remaining but still managed to have an impact by dragging a shot into the far corner after a through-ball from Rodri.
