With a 3-0 victory over Wolves on Sunday, Erling Haaland’s fourth hat-trick in 19 Premier League games brought Manchester City to within two points of league leaders Arsenal.
When the English champions were questioned about their desire to defend their championship following Thursday’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham. Pep Guardiola got the response he was hoping for. There was little doubt about the outcome of the three points once Haaland broke through Wolves’ defence five minutes before halftime. The hosts had to come back from a 2-0 deficit against Spurs in a dramatic second half.
Haaland has scored less frequently lately, but his goal from Kevin De Bruyne’s pass brought him up to par with the 23 league goals that Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min combined for to win the Golden Boot last season.
Gundogan was knocked to the ground
After Ilkay Gundogan was knocked to the ground by Ruben Neves early in the second half. The 22-year-old increased his total to 30 goals in all competitions from the penalty spot.
Four minutes later, Wolves gave Haaland his third goal by allowing Riyad Mahrez to pass the ball to his teammate and square for him to roll into an open goal.
To Wolves’ relief, Haaland was replaced by Julian Alvarez around the hour mark as Guardiola promptly seized the opportunity to rest his star striker.
The men of Julen Lopetegui should have still received more punishment from the city.
After receiving a through pass from De Bruyne, Mahrez just missed holding his run and was judged to be offside. Gundogan then missed a wonderful opportunity to score.
However, three goals were more than enough to give the team three points and put pressure on Arsenal. Before their match against Manchester United later that day at home.
Wolves are now only out of the drop zone on goal differential after just their second league loss under Lopetegui.
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