Manchester City moved top of the Premier League for at least a day with a predictably dominant victory over struggling Luton Town.
City led after only 65 seconds at Etihad Stadium when Erling Haaland’s wayward volley hit Luton’s Daiki Hashioka before flying into the net.
It took City more than an hour to double their lead through Mateo Kovacic’s sweet, rising strike from near the edge of the area.
Haaland put the game beyond any doubt with a penalty after Jeremy Doku was fouled by Fred Onyedinma.
Just after City made a double change, Ross Barkley took advantage of a Matheus Nunes mistake to pull one back for the Hatters.
But Doku cut in from the left to slot a fine solo goal into the bottom corner.
The impressive Doku set up City’s fifth as he picked out Josko Gvardiol, who slammed a beauty into the top corner – the defender’s second goal in a week having not scored for City before that.
City are two points clear at the top, although Liverpool – at home to Crystal Palace – and Arsenal, who host Aston Villa, can move back above them on Sunday.
Luton remain in the relegation zone.
Manchester City moved top of the Premier League for at least a day with a predictably dominant victory over struggling Luton Town.
City led after only 65 seconds at Etihad Stadium when Erling Haaland’s wayward volley hit Luton’s Daiki Hashioka before flying into the net.
It took City more than an hour to double their lead through Mateo Kovacic’s sweet, rising strike from near the edge of the area.
Haaland put the game beyond any doubt with a penalty after Jeremy Doku was fouled by Fred Onyedinma.
Just after City made a double change, Ross Barkley took advantage of a Matheus Nunes mistake to pull one back for the Hatters.
But Doku cut in from the left to slot a fine solo goal into the bottom corner.
The impressive Doku set up City’s fifth as he picked out Josko Gvardiol, who slammed a beauty into the top corner – the defender’s second goal in a week having not scored for City before that.
City are two points clear at the top, although Liverpool – at home to Crystal Palace – and Arsenal, who host Aston Villa, can move back above them on Sunday.
Luton remain in the relegation zone.