There doesn’t seem to be any problem with the Erling Haaland machine. The Manchester City striker took his tally to 11 league goals in seven games, and 14 in 10 in all competitions, after scoring with robotic precision in a procession against Wolves. A one-sided contest was bookended by strikes from Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, but it’s Haaland’s borderline silly numbers that continue to raise eyebrows and generate a general sense of disbelief.
For Haaland, this season has so far been a giant masterclass in finishing. By scoring here, Haaland became the first Premier League player to score in each of his first four away games. He has scored in each of his last seven games and has personally beaten Chelsea, Manchester United and 11 other top-flight teams. City led within a minute and things went from bad to worse for Wolves when, two goals down, Nathan Collins was sent off in the 33rd minute for a wild kung fu kick at Grealish. City are now unbeaten in 22 games away from the Premier League, a club record.
When the visitors took the lead after 55 seconds, it marked the start of a miserable afternoon for the old gold. City went down the right, Foden slotted the ball to the incomparable Kevin De Bruyne, whose cross was usually masterful. The ball eluded Haaland at the front post but not Grealish at the back, the winger beating Jonny to the punch to register his first goal since May before setting off to celebrate. Foden kissed Grealish on the forehead and Pep Guardiola, who has defended Grealish’s form this week, merely took sips of water.
Phil Foden beats José Sá for the third goal. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA
“So people have been asking questions,” Grealish said after the game. “I should score more and get more assists. I’ll always have people talking about me for the amount I was bought for [£100m] but, if you look at my entire career, I probably haven’t scored as much as certain people. It’s something I want to add to my game.”
By the time Haaland hit the ball into the net in the 16th minute, having been allowed to wander through a gaping hole in space, this game had become a non-event. The game was certainly up for Wolves when Collins made a high and rash challenge on Grealish that left the City midfielder nursing his hip and stomach, and Wolves down to 10 men. Collins walked off the pitch, livid and seemingly inconsolable as he made his way down the tunnel through a fruitless stand-off with fourth official Tony Harrington to argue his point. The pained look on Bruno Lage’s face said it all, but Wolves, to their credit, didn’t cave. Their captain, Rúben Neves, took over in the center and Gonçalo Guedes and Daniel Podence went astray, the latter sending a shot just past a post. But City never needed to worry.
Wolves’ Nathan Collins faces a rash challenge on Jack Grealish that resulted in him being shown a red card. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images/Reuters
The visitors were in total control, but it seems that the more comfortable they are, the more Guardiola gets on his players’ case. He waved his hands frantically along the touchline with the demeanor of a man who has just been told his luggage has been lost. Approaching the hour mark, shortly after Guedes collapsed his lines after being picked out inside the box by Rayan Aït-Nouri, Guardiola closed his eyes and stewed in silence as City it allowed the Wolves to cling to the idea of a comeback. Those hopes were arguably extinguished when Foden applied a deft finishing touch to another delightful De Bruyne cross with 21 minutes to play.
Start your evenings with The Guardian’s opinion on the world of football
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by third parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Before the rush of blood from Collins to the head, Pedro Neto had a shot deflected after good work from Guedes, who is still looking for his first goal since signing from Valencia. He got past John Stones and fired a shot that Ederson saved at his near post. Haaland may have hit double figures but Wolves, who have won just one of their last 14 top-flight games, have managed just three goals this season. “When you don’t score, it’s a concern,” Lage said. “I’m not happy because we lost the game, but I see good signs.”