Manchester City - Wolves 3-0
City were searching for a response to Pep Guardiola’s scathing comments in the week, yet the opening period was devoid of goalmouth action. Several flashpoints resulted in a flurry of yellow cards for the visitors before both Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish forced saves out of José Sá. A well-organised deep Wolves backline was keeping the hosts at bay, but with half-time looming, City’s patient probing paid dividends, as Kevin De Bruyne’s enticing lofted ball was headed home by Haaland. Nathan Collins and Grealish were centre stage as the half concluded, first when the Wolves man seemingly fouled Grealish in the box, before clearing the former Aston Villa captain’s effort off the line.
Having shown precious little attacking intent, Wolves needed a second-half response, yet their hopes of a comeback were dead and buried within minutes of the restart. Rúben Neves clipped İlkay Gündoğan in the box, giving referee David Coote no choice but to point to the spot. Haaland stepped up to convert, and within five minutes his fourth Manchester City hat-trick was complete. A shocking error from José Sá gifted the ball to Riyad Mahrez, who kept his composure to present Haaland with a simple finish.
The hosts had further opportunities to add to their lead through Mahrez and Gündoğan, but in truth, the contest had long been over. City have now lost just one of their last 17 PL home games as they chase Mikel Arteta’s table-topping Gunners. As for Wolves, defeat leaves them teetering above the drop zone with their concerning attacking output yet to be remedied.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Leeds United - Brentford 0-0
High-flying Brentford took on a Leeds United side who were looking to bring to an end a run of five games without a victory, making this, on paper, a game that the Bees entered full of confidence. With a spring in their step following a 5-2 smashing of Cardiff City in midweek, however, Leeds gave just as good as they got in the opening half, albeit without either David Raya or Illan Meslier being forced into any goal-saving moments in a first period which lacked goalmouth action.
Much to their credit, the hosts’ intensity didn’t drop at the start of the second-half, as they searched to mount an unexpected upset, with Raya keeping out Rodrigo’s driven effort outside of the area. As for Brentford, having won just once at Elland Road since 1947, they looked a side under pressure. Wilfried Gnonto didn’t help ease that pressure, either, once again forcing Raya into a fine save at his near post.
The numbers were stacked against Thomas Frank’s side before the game, with just two away wins in this fixture in the last 26 meetings, and Brentford were far from the in-form side that we had seen against the likes of Liverpool in previous games. The introduction of talisman Patrick Bamford gave the visitors even more encouragement, but this was a game destined to remain goalless, as both sides settled for a clean sheet and a point which leaves a point adrift of the dropzone, and Brentford sitting a point away from the top six.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United)
