Manchester City 5-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Haaland hits four as Citizens rout Wolves to close in on top spot

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scored four goals as the club remained on track to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 5-1 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Hours after Arsenal's 3-0 win over Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola's side responded with a resounding victory, bringing them within a point of the North Londoners at the top of the table, but with a game in hand.

Arsenal have 83 points with two games remaining in one of the most competitive title races in years, while City have 82 but three games to play.

Haaland, who increased his league scoring lead to 25 with his first four-goal haul of his career, converted from the penalty spot in the 12th minute after Rayan Ait-Nouri's late tackle brought down Josko Gvardiol in the box.

The 23-year-old Norwegian doubled City's advantage in the 35th minute, soaring high to head home at the far post from Rodri's cross.

Haaland scored again from the spot just before halftime after being clipped from behind by Nelson Semedo in the area. Wolves' only shot on goal came in the 53rd minute, when Hwang Hee-chan reduced the deficit.

However, a minute later, Haaland crushed any hopes of a comeback with his fourth.

The goal-scoring machine, who was sidelined for nearly two months earlier this season due to a foot injury, appears to be regaining form just in time. He controlled a diagonal pass in the air from Phil Foden before slicing inside and curling a shot into the far corner.

Substitute Julian Alvarez scored the final goal for City in the 85th minute.

Wolves, whose manager, Gary O'Neil, was serving a touchline ban, looked nothing like the team that beat City 2-1 earlier this season.

City play two away games at Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur before finishing the season at home against West Ham United. Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United before hosting Everton on the final day.

SportsLigue