Kevin De Bruyne’s astonishing four-goal record helped Manchester City beat Wolverhampton Wolverhampton and regain their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side now needs just four points from their last two games to ensure they finish above Liverpool and win their fourth title in five seasons.
De Bruyne has played a key role in all of those previous victories, but this was a solo show that should be among his star-studded collections in the City jersey.
The Belgian started the move that led to his team’s opening match, and also finished it, running into Bernardo Silva’s pass to hit the net.
It didn’t take Wolves long to respond, as the quick counterattack ended when Pedro Neto found Leander Dendoncker in space on the edge of the penalty area to shoot past Ederson.
This was De Bruyne’s stage, and he quickly put his team on top. Once again, he played a builder as well, and was in the right place to smash the rebound after Jose Sa beat Raheem Sterling with a pass.
His third goal – again with his so-called weaker left foot – was group pick, and I saw him drive towards the edge of the area and turn into the bottom corner.
De Bruyne’s hat-trick was his first for City and in the 24th minute it was the third fastest hat-trick in the history of the Premier League.
Celebrate in style by copying the meditation celebration of soon-to-be teammate Erling Haaland, who City reached a signing deal this week, but it’s not done yet.
City went out in the second half looking for more goals to improve their goal difference, which was already three goals better than Liverpool before kick-off.
Raheem Sterling thought he solidified his lead when he outmaneuvered Sa, but the knowledge of an intrusion cut short his festivities.
It was up to De Bruyne to make it 4-1 and usually no mistake when Phil Foden’s cross veered his way and found the bottom corner with his first right-footed attempt of the night.
More chances followed, with Foden hitting the post and Sterling missing an easy opportunity, but eventually someone else got in, with Sterling hitting the empty net after Sa Joao Cancelo blocked.
However, this was still De Bruyne’s show. City isn’t over yet, and their next test is an embarrassing trip to West Ham on Sunday, but based on this clue, they’re going to stop for a bit.
More to track.
how to play
Rate players out of 10 during or after the game. The resident will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Classification range key = give up = Absolute perfection
Wolverhampton Wanderers
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band number1player nameJose Sa
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band number19player namejohnny
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band number16player namecoady
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band number15thplayer namepoly
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band number20player namechiquino
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band number32player nameDundoncker
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band number8player nameRobin Nevis
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band number28player nameJoao Moutinho
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band number3player nameAit Nouri
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band number7player namePedro Netto
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band number9player nameJimenez
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band number11player nameTrinkau
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band number26player nameHwang Hee-chan
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band number39player namecondole
Manchester
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band number6player nameokay -
band number10player nameGrealish
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band number26player nameMahrez
line up
Wolves
formation – composition 3-5-2
- 1Malheiro de Sa
- 19Castro Auto
- 16coady
- 15thpoly
- 20Thomas Oliveira
- 32Dundoncker
- 8neves
- 28Joao Moutinhohas been replaced bycondoleat 85 ‘Minutes
- 3Ait Nouri
- 7netohas been replaced byMachado Trincaoat 72 ‘Minutes
- 9Jimenezhas been replaced byHwang Hee-chanat 72 ‘Minutes
alternatives
- 2lifter
- 5Marsal
- 11Machado Trincao
- 14Mosquera
- 17Fabio Silva
- 21ruddy
- 24Gomez
- 26Hwang Hee-chan
- 39condole
Manchester
formation – composition 4-2-3-1
- 31Ederson
- 27Cancellation
- 25Fernandinhohas been replaced byMahrezat 77 ‘Minutes
- 14La Portehas been replaced byokayat 61 ‘Minutes
- 11Zinchenko
- 16Rodri
- 8Gundogan
- 7Sterling pound
- 17De BruyneBooked in 78 minutes
- 47Fodenhas been replaced byGrealishat 81 ‘Minutes
- 20Bernardo Silva
alternatives
- 6okay
- 9Gabriel Jesus
- 10Grealish
- 13Steven
- 26Mahrez
- 56Egan Riley
- 79overnight
- 80Palmer
- 90Lavia
live text
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The match is over, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Manchester City 5.
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The second half ended, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Manchester City 5.
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Wasted attempt. João Cancelo (Manchester City) right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jack Grealish.
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Wasted attempt. Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) A right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area misses the left. Assisted by Robin Nevis.
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Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) hits the left post with a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area. With the help of Riyad Mahrez.
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Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).
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Chiquinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).
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Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) won with a free kick in the defensive half.
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Wasted attempt. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area is close but misses on the right. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne with a through pass.
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Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Luke Candel replaces Joao Moutinho.
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Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Manchester City 5. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right-footed shot from very close to the center of the goal.
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Attempt is prohibited. João Cancelo (Manchester City) is blocked with his right foot from the right side of the penalty area. Assisted by Jack Grealish by ball.
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Substitution, Manchester City. Jack Grealish replaces Phil Foden.
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Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Cchinio (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
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Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) gets the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).
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Ryan Ait Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez replaces Fernandinho.
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