Manchester City kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal, winning a sixth consecutive head-to-head against Wolverhampton Wanderers to cut the gap to two points, at least for the time being.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 halftime 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 Premier League 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.PREMIER LEAGUESaturdayLiverpool – Chelsea 0-0Bournemouth – Nottingham Forest 1-1 (1-0)/Anthony 28 – Surridge 84/Leicester City – Brighton 2-2 (1-1)/Albrighton 38, Barnes 63 – Mitoma 27, Ferguson 88/Southampton – Aston Villa 0-1 (0-0)/Watkins 77/West Ham United – Everton 2-0 (2-0)/Bowen 34, 41/Crystal Palace – Newcastle United 0-0SundayLeeds – Brentford 0-0Man.City – Wolverhampton 3-0 (1-0)/Haaland 40, 49 pen, 54/19.30: (1.95) Arsenal (3.60) Man.Utd. (4.20)Monday23.00: (3.35) Fulham (3.50) Tottenham (2.30)***odds are subject to change
