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.
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 Gabriel 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 later.
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 at the top of the scoring charts. 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
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
12′ GOAL! (HAALAND) MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 WOLVES Had to wait a bit to take that one, but the Norway striker plants the ball to the keeper’s right as he headed left. So, so easy. No chance for José Sá. A 1-0 lead for the Premier League champions.
35′ GOAL! (HAALAND) MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 WOLVES De Bruyne to Rodri and the cross is laid on a plate for Haaland to head back across goal and into the corner of the net. No chance for Sa. What a brilliant finish. A 2-0 lead for the champions.
45+3′ GOAL! (HAALAND) MANCHESTER CITY 3-0 WOLVES Up steps Haaland. Slams the ball to Sa’s right. He guessed right, but nowhere near stopping ball as it nestles in the net. Same direction as the first pen. Same result. 3-0 to the champions. His ninth Manchester City treble.
53′ GOAL! MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 WOLVES (HWANG) A superb goal from Wolves as Hwang turns the ball into the net from the Bellegarde cross. Ederson couldn’t get there as he clawed at the ball with one hand and Hwang did the rest.
54′ GOAL! (HAALAND) MANCHESTER CITY 4-1 WOLVES 30 seconds later and it is 4-1 to City with Haaland scoring his fourth. Brilliant pass from Foden and he sized up the target before walloping a brilliant finish beyond Sa to his right from the edge of the box. What a goal.
85′ GOAL! (ALVAREZ) MANCHESTER CITY 5-1 WOLVES And that is a brilliant goal as City break up the Wolves play before Rodri sends Alvarez through to slide the finish into the corner of the net in his 100th game for the club. Great goal for a 5-1 lead.
KEY STAT