MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on May 04, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Erling Haaland scored four goals as Manchester City thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-1 to keep the Premier League title race in their hands.
Premier League
Result: Manchester City 5-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Date: 04 May 2024
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Man City were boosted by the return of Haaland and Phil Foden, as the two changes from their win over Nottingham Forest and Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku dropped to the bench.The Citizens had a dream start after going ahead on 12 minutes from a penalty converted by Haaland after a foul on Josko Gvardiol in the box.
Pep Guardiola's charges remained on the front foot almost doubled their lead seven minutes later after goalkeeper Jose Sa kept out a header by Haaland towards the bottom corner.
However, there was no denying the Norwegian ten minutes before the break after he eventually doubled City's lead and completed his brace with a header across goal.
Guardiola's men were out of sight at the break after Haaland made it 3-0 and completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the box by Nelson Semedo.
Wolves had an encouraging start in the second stanza as eight minutes from the break Hee-Chan Hwang pulled a goal back with a shot from a rebound after goalkeeper Ederson parried a cross on his path.
However, Haaland restored a three-goal cushion for the Citizens and scored his fourth goal of the game moments later with a curling shot past Sa after he was setup by Foden.
City were in the mood of running rampant, as on the hour-mark Haaland had a chance to make it 5-1 after going through on goal but his fierce shot was parried over the crossbar by Sa.
However, the pace of the game slowed down after that and with ten minutes to go, Guardiola needed fresh legs, as Kevin De Bruyne, Foden and eventually Haaland were withdrawn and replaced by Matheus Nunes, Jack Grealish and Alvarez.
Alvarez did not need time to settle for City, as moments later he made it 5-1 with a low shot across Sa after a through ball by Rodri.
The Citizens reduced the deficit behind leaders Arsenal to just a single point in second place on the log and have a game in hand.
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