Premier League | 3-0: City let Erling Haaland martyr Wolverhampton

Who can stop Erling Haaland? Lined up against Wolverhampton this Sunday on behalf of the 21st day of the Premier League, the Norwegian cyborg offered victory to the Citizens with a hat-trick scored in a quarter of an hour (3-0). First perfectly served in the 40th minute by Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester City n°9, once back from the locker room, easily converted his penalty obtained in the 50th minute, before finalizing his hat-trick in the 54th, after a hazardous exit from José Sa.

Released in stride by Pep Guardiola, the current top scorer in the English championship already has 25 goals in the Premier League (and four hat-tricks…), more than the co-top finishers of the previous exercise: Mohamed Salah and Heung-min Son had each scored 23 times in the 2021-22 season. Kevin De Bruyne, again brilliant against Wolves, increased his number of assists to 11, allowing him to consolidate his place as the best passer in the championship.

Manchester City, second in the standings with 45 points, keeps leader Arsenal in sight (the Gunners have 47 points, before their match against Manchester United this Sunday).

Mixed start for Sarabia, difficult schedule for City

In difficulty in the game against the collective machine of Pep Guardiola, the players of Julen Lopetegui had nevertheless achieved a convincing first half. Logically cornered in their area, Wolves were able to count on a flamboyant Nathan Collins. The 21-year-old Irish centre-back saved his home side twice in added time: deflecting a dry Jack Grealish strike along the goal line with his head, then narrowly confiscating the ball from Erling’s feet Haaland, alone in front of the cages of José Sa.

More offensive in the second half, due to the changes orchestrated by the Spanish tactician from the start, Wolverhampton could see Pablo Sarabia showing the colors of the club. The former Parisian, lively but lonely, was able to bring renewal to the offensive line, without really succeeding in weighing in the course of the game.

For their next league game, points-seeking Wolves host Liverpool. Manchester City will also have to go through a complicated schedule. The Citizens will face Arsenal in the FA Cup on January 27, then will have to continue in the Premier League against Tottenham, Aston Villa, and again Arsenal. A challenge the size of this team, and its inevitable scorer.