Jack Grealish scored his first goal this season and Erling Haaland extended his record-breaking hot streak as Manchester City powered to a 3-0 win over 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side needed just 56 seconds to take the lead at Molineux as Grealish finally enjoyed a day to remember after a difficult time since joining City from Aston Villa last year.

Haaland doubled City’s advantage with his 14th goal in 10 games in all competitions following a 51 million ($58 million) move from Borussia Dortmund that already appears a bargain.

Wolves lost any chance of a fightback when Nathan Collins was sent off for an ugly stomach-high foul on Grealish in the first half.

Phil Foden capped City’s stroll in the Midlands sunshine as the Premier League champions moved to the top of the table.

Unbeaten City are two points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who would regain pole position if they win at Brentford on Sunday.

“The game started really well for us with the two goals and the red card. After the Champions League to come here at 12:30 with the quality they have, it was an incredible victory. Erling continues to score goals, that’s top,” Guardiola said.

Even Guardiola may run out of superlatives to describe the 22-year-old Norwegian if he continues this astonishing run.

Haaland was named Premier League Player of the Month for August after his blistering start to the season and he is already making his case for the September award.

He has netted in seven successive games for City and is the first player to score in their first four Premier League away appearances.

Showing their hunger to win the title for a fifth time in six seasons, City are unbeaten in a club record 22 away league matches since losing at Tottenham in their opening game last season.

The Premier League has returned to action after last weekend’s games were postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and there were minute’s silences and renditions of the national anthem at all Saturday’s matches.

This Sunday’s matches between Manchester United and Leeds United and Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as Saturday’s Brighton versus Crystal Palace fixture, have also been cancelled due to policing issues before the Queen’s funeral on Monday.

At St James’ Park, Newcastle United had to settle for a point for the fifth time in seven games this season as Bournemouth earned a 1-1 draw.

Magpies manager Eddie Howe was frustrated by his former club, who took the lead against the run of play in the 62nd minute when Phillip Billing stabbed in Jordan Zemura’s cross.

Newcastle’s 60 million striker Alexander Isak equalised with a 67th-minute penalty after a VAR check showed Kieran Trippier’s cross hit Jefferson Lerma’s hand.

Bournemouth, still led by interim boss Gary O’Neil following Scott Parker’s sacking in August, are unbeaten in three games since losing 9-0 at Liverpool.

On Friday, Aston Villa eased the pressure on under-fire boss Steven Gerrard with a 1-0 win over Southampton on while Fulham beat Nottingham Forest 3-2.

Jacob Ramsey’s first half winner against Southampton was a huge boost for Gerrard, whose side started the day one place above the relegation zone.

Villa’s first win in five league games came after an impressive draw with champions City in their last match two weeks ago.

Southampton’s dismal run of 13 defeats in their last 19 league games will put pressure on their boss Ralph Hasenhuttl heading into the international break.

Forest and Fulham, two of the sides promoted from the Championship last season, have had contrasting fortunes.

Fulham’s unexpectedly strong start has lifted them above Liverpool and Chelsea into sixth place.

But second-bottom Forest have suffered four successive defeats and conceded 12 goals in their last three games.

Taiwo Awoniyi put Forest in front after 11 minutes as the Nigeria striker rose to head home at the far post after Morgan Gibbs-White’s corner was flicked into his path by Ryan Yates.

Fulham’s blistering second half display was sparked by Tosin Adarabioyo, whose towering header from Willian’s corner brought his team level in the 54th minute.

Marco Silva’s side went ahead three minutes later as Joao Palhinha rifled into the top corner from 20 yards.

Harrison Reed grabbed Fulham’s third in six minutes with a clinical finish from Bobby Decordova-Reid’s cross on the hour.

Lewis O’Brien reduced the deficit from Jesse Lingard’s assist in the 77th minute, but there was no late escape for struggling Forest.

Source: Dawn  

BDST: 1458 HRS, SEP 18, 2022
MN