City beat Wolverhampton with Haaland hat-trick and close in on leaders Arsenal in the English

Manchester City received Wolverhampton this Sunday morning at the Etihad Stadium, and relied on Haaland’s brilliance to win the game by the score of 3 to 0. The Norwegian scored a hat-trick and was essential for Pep Guardiola’s team to pull over at Arsenal, looking to top the Premier League.

This was the fourth time that the striker has scored three goals in the same match with City’s shirt. Now, there are already 25 balls in the net in 20 matches played in the Premier League.

The gap between the Manchester team and Arsenal has now narrowed to two points. The Gunners, however, can again open up five points ahead if they beat Manchester United, this Sunday, at 2:30 pm (Brasília time).

Wolves, on the other hand, dropped to 17th place, with the same 17 points as Bournemouth, the first team inside the relegation zone.

City returns to the field this Friday, in a confrontation against Arsenal, but for the fourth phase of the FA Cup. The team’s next duel in the Premier League is scheduled for the other Sunday, February 5th, against Tottenham.

How was the game?

City were the owners of the initial stage, having possession of the ball for most of the time and building the best goal opportunities. The first chance of danger happened in the 18th minute, in a shot by Haaland saved by goalkeeper José Sá.

At 28′, it was Grealish’s turn to take a risk from outside the area and force the Portuguese archer to work. The hosts only opened the scoring at 39′. The goal came from the most effective combination of the competition, so far: De Bruyne’s assist for Haaland, who completed with a header to fill the net.

This guy! 😋☝️

🔵 3-0 🐺 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/Q8yw1YL9Pn

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 22, 2023

There was barely time for Wolverhampton to seek a reaction in the second half and Haaland had already scored one more. This time, with just four minutes on the clock, Gundogan was hit inside the area and the referee signaled the penalty. The Norwegian, then, took it from the goalkeeper and converted the kick: 2 to 0.

There was still time for the striker to score the third, at 8′. José Sá played wrong, and Mahrez left Haaland in good order to increase the scoreboard. The Algerian even scored the fourth, at 20′, but the goal was canceled due to the player’s impediment.