— Wolverhampton Saturday, Jack Grealish scored his first goal of the season and Erling Haaland continued his record-setting scoring streak as Manchester City defeated 10-man Wolves 3-0.
Pep Guardiola’s team took the lead at Molineux in just 56 seconds, with Grealish enjoying a memorable day following a difficult time since joining City from Aston Villa last year.
Haaland extended City’s lead with his 14th goal in 10 games in all competitions after joining from Borussia Dortmund for £51 million (approximately R1.036 billion).
He is an individual wrecking ball tearing through Premier League defenses.
It must be Erling Haaland, the man is incapable of missing pic.twitter.com/waAJAAILSP
17 Sep 2022 — SuperSport Football (@SSFootball)
In the first half, Wolves forfeited any chance of a comeback when Nathan Collins was ejected for a heinous, stomach-high foul on Grealish.
Phil Foden capped City’s sunny walk through the midlands as the Premier League champions ascended to the top of the standings.
Unbeaten City is two points ahead of second-place Arsenal, who would reclaim the top spot on Sunday if they defeat Brentford.
Guardiola stated this week that Haaland was the “ideal” manager due to the fact that his attitude ensures he is constantly eager to develop.
If the 22-year-old Norwegian continues his remarkable run, even Guardiola may run out of superlatives to describe him.
After a scorching start to the season, Haaland was voted Premier League Player of the Month for August, and he is already vying for the September honor.
He has scored in seven consecutive games for City and is the only player in Premier League history to score in his team’s first four away games.
Since their season-opening loss at Tottenham last year, City are undefeated in a club record 22 away league games, demonstrating their desire to win the championship for the fifth time in six seasons.
Lethal Haaland
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, there was a minute of silence and a performance of the national song, with Steve Bull and Mike Summerbee, legends of Wolves and City, laying wreaths on the field prior to kickoff.
After that heartfelt homage, City stunned Molineux with a brilliantly executed opening goal in the first minute.
Foden’s backheel launched Kevin De Bruyne down the right wing, and De Bruyne’s cross was wonderfully placed for Grealish’s close-range goal.
Grealish was making just his second league appearance of the season, having struggled to regain his previous level of play since his British record-setting £100 million transfer.
Guardiola may also feel justified after defending the England forward after his lackluster performance against Dortmund on Wednesday, blaming an ankle issue for his struggles and urging him to disregard his critics.
Haaland scored his first goal for his new team from outside the penalty area in the 16th minute.
Guardiola likened Haaland’s inventiveness to that of Dutch star Johan Cruyff after Haaland’s late winner against Dortmund.
This was a more straightforward attack, but it was just as effective.
With Wolves defender Max Kilman retreating fatally outside of his own penalty area, Haaland was able to move unimpeded and finish with precision into the bottom corner.
It was Haaland’s 100th goal in his last 99 outings in all competitions since joining Dortmund in 2020 after leaving RB Salzburg.
In the 33rd minute, the foul committed by Collins against Grealish, the Wolves defender leaping into the air to kick him in the abdomen, resulted in a red card that effectively terminated the game.
Grealish pulled his shirt to display the red mark left by Collins’ boot as Wolves supporters jeered him as he writhed on the field.
Foden added City’s third goal in the 69th minute, flicking in De Bruyne’s cross after Haaland’s flick teed up the Belgian.
AFP