Manchester City 3-0 Wolves: Erling Haaland’s hat trick helps City close the gap between Arsenal

How about that fire thing, Pep? Well, a performance warm enough to toast marshmallows in the Manchester chill instead of roaring. Pleasant without being particularly wild.

But it featured a strong follow-up to last week’s dramas to begin with, as Pep Guardiola vented a lack of desire and passion engulfing the club, one that he felt was not showing enough hunger to defend another title.

Those feelings had been festering for weeks and he chose his moment to vent after a heartwarming victory, a tactic he has used countless times over seven years at Manchester City and one, at this point, that is quite transparent.

Erling Haaland (right) helped Manchester City close the gap between league rivals at the top of the Premier League table.

The Norwegian striker (left) has certainly silenced any recent criticism he may have had after his epic performance on Sunday.

He never criticizes after losses or poor performances, so he patiently waited for Tottenham’s night. We all know it, as do the players, but he still provokes reactions.

City still possess a few extra logs to throw in the reserve to further push this season and Guardiola will want them put to use when the schedule fills with relentless must-win games at home and abroad.

For now, Wolves were dispatched with relative ease, hope snuffed out during a 14-minute stretch either side of halftime as Erling Haaland surpassed the totals of all Golden Boot winners since 2018. He has played 19 games. Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer’s combined record of 34 looks set to fall to a man operating in a division two fewer teams.

A fantastic cross from Kevin de Bruyne saw the 22-year-old, who has 26 goals this season, climb high to head City’s opener.

Riyad Mahrez once again showed his brilliance, but VAR narrowly disallowed a goal for offside with his big toe

“Today we took a step, but it’s just a game,” Guardiola said. ‘There were some things I liked. It is getting better. The message is clear: it’s just a game. I have to wait. There are things… we lack concentration. There are many details. The reality is that we are still behind Arsenal.

If they see a long-term rally that will be exciting. They took their time taking this away from Wolves, who aggressively stopped the likes of Rico Lewis early on to upset their rhythm. The pattern of play was set: City consistently flaunted more than 80 per cent possession, only really opening up more once Haaland’s first drive in.

That came five minutes before the break, Haaland past Nathan Collins past Kevin De Bruyne’s cross. It is already a goal number 23 in the Premier League, more than anyone has achieved at City under Guardiola. And it wasn’t over for the afternoon.

It was a difficult day for Wolves captain Ruben Neves (right) who conceded a penalty after tripping Ilkay Gundogan in the box.

Haaland (right) stepped up to take the penalty kick and put Man City 2-0 up on 50 minutes, firing the ball past José Sa into the net.

However, there was more heartbreak for the goalkeeper (bottom right) as Haaland would capitalize on his mistake shortly afterwards.

Seeing the Wovles’ defense in disarray, Mahrez passed the ball to the striker, who scored his third goal in brilliant fashion.

“The numbers are incredible,” Guardiola said. ‘The first goal is because he is there, the delivery is fantastic. He lives 24 hours for his profession, it is his love. He is not stressed, he is stable.

Until then, Haaland had been frustrated by Collins. The agile central midfielder completed a series of smart interceptions, one of which drew attention as City’s number 9 ran past. Collins also saved Jack Grealish’s shot from the line, heading it clear, though he was lucky not to have conceded a penalty by scraping Grealish’s calf. David Coote left the decision in the hands of the VAR, which said to continue.

Coote had doubts about another appeal, on 50 minutes, when substitute Nathan Ake butted Wolves for Ilkay Gundogan to gallop. Ruben Neves ran into Gundogan’s line, tripping the City captain, and a grateful Haaland patted him down the middle.

Pep Guardiola (centre) has been looking for more from his team of late and this performance will put a smile on his face.

For Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, it was a tough day in the office, with his team slipping to 17th in the league.

Jose Sa didn’t really have much of a prayer with the penalty, but his involvement in Haaland’s third was completely bizarre at best. Playing from behind, his attempted pass to midfield was missed and nowhere near the intended target.

Riyad Mahrez barely moved to win back the errant ball, struck broadside for Haaland and from there drifted into the Sa net, guarded only by the desperate Collins. Sa collapsed on the grass. “Sometimes you have to take risks, it’s not about playing short or long, you have to make good decisions,” said Julen Lopetegui. “We want to hurt the opposition and I want to improve.”

Sergio Aguero holds the Premier League hat-tricks, scoring 12 during his decade at City, and Haaland is now just eight behind in his six months here. And people wondered if he makes this team worse.

Guardiola gave him a break after the hour, to a standing ovation, and City could have embarrassed Lopetegui again, in a season that has already dismantled his Sevilla. Gundogan inexplicably headed inside the box, while Mahrez, once again electric on the right side, saw his big toe flag offside as he tucked in a pass from De Bruyne.

Julián Álvarez nearly added a fourth as well, while Pablo Sarabia had his moments in the visitors’ debut: Ake blocked a shot that seemed destined to beat Ederson.

“We are champions for a reason and we want to be champions again,” said John Stones. I didn’t see Pep’s comments. But I knew what he told us at halftime [last week] and what he knows we can do and us as players when you’re not playing as well as you can.’