Manchester City 5-1 Wolves Review

PREMIER LEAGUE

MOTM: Erling Haaland

Other standout performances include: Josko Gvardiol & Rodri

In this match Erling Haaland showed his very best work as a number nine. Composure when taking the penalties. Lethal runs in behind that draw fouls or he converts into goals. Holding up the ball and laying it off to a teammate to transition. The kind of leap you’d see from Michael Jordan, at the back post to score a header.

As an athlete and finisher Haaland is incredible. A humble nature but determined to improve and deliver. His very best days are still yet to come which sounds crazy to say about a player that’s scored 61 goals in 63 league games for Manchester City already.

Notable Stats:

• The hat-trick scored by Erling Haaland was the 41st scored by Manchester City in the Premier League in the competitions history. Only Liverpool (42) have netted more.

• Erling Haaland is the third different player to score two first-half hat-tricks in the Premier League history after Andrew Cole and Michael Owen.

• Since Erling Haaland made his debut in the Premier League he’s scored the most goals (61), most penalties (13), most headed goals (11) and the most hat-tricks (6).

Thoughts on Manchester City

Here is the starting eleven from Manchester City along with the average positions those players took up during the match. Bernardo Silva providing the width on the right side, getting into the box and having Kyle Walker overlapping. Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne moving into the half spaces to receive and turn on the ball. Gvardiol providing the width on the left side. Kovacic being the partner Rodri needs to get the best out of him going forward and keep City secure off the ball.

Here is the passing maps for the two teams and for City it lines up exactly as you’d expect it to. Kovacic has an excellent relationship with Gvardiol which benefits him to get forward and Foden with how secure those two are on/off the ball. City have averaged 12.1 PPDA (number of opposition passes allowed per defensive action by pressing team) but in this match averaged 9.2 with a clear intent to press Wolves. Leading to 11 high turnovers and the second goal scored by Haaland starts from City forcing a turnover.

As mentioned at the start Gvardiol was excellent in this game and despite it being his first season he has turned up in the toughest games during the run-in. Aggressive and tenacious pressing off the ball. Willing to get into the box and take shots on the edge of it. Fizzing balls inside to the midfielders in good positions. He has an argument for being the best left back in the Premier League this season and will only get better. Reaching this potential is another question but you cannot disagree he has the tools to become the best defender Manchester City has ever had.

Some love towards Akanji and Ake who have seemed to become our first choice pairing for the remaining games with Dias spending the past two on the bench. John Stone not yet back to full fitness. Complimenting each other with their ball playing and tackling strengths. Both measured and calm.

These are the performances from Foden that will go under the radar this season since he’s not pushing for MOTM and scoring a hat-trick but he was secure in possession, dangerous in the final third and has the quality to provide a pass like that for the fourth goal. The floor of a Foden performance has gone up this season by a good margin.

Incredible pass by Ederson through to Foden who then picks out the run of Erling Haaland in the fourth goal. 👇

John Stones needed the minutes which was good to see coming on late. Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku both worked well pressing Wolves to force a turnover that led to the Alvarez goal. Alvarez, who needed the goal against Brighton, looked much more sure of himself when he took that chance to score the fifth goal. Nunes is a player I’m positive about taking a step forward next season but has split opinions among fans. Jeremy Doku I don’t think many can disagree is setup well for a big season next year or the one after. You can see the ability and decision making are coming together for him.

Thoughts on Wolves

Above is their starting eleven and the average positions those players took up across the game. Ait-Nouri, Gomes and Semedo looking to link up down the right side to little success. Bueno had some more joy moving up the pitch as Walker was pushing for an overlap but generally he was able to get back in time with close it down with Akanji. Bernardo also helped quite a few times.

Wolves created 0.35 xG across the entire match and that’s their second worst effort in the Premier League this season with first being Arsenal (H). Whilst allowing Manchester City to 3.74 xGA which is the highest they’ve allowed to an opposition team all season in the Premier League. Penalties to one side, Wolves were not at their best at either ends of the pitch.

Pedro Neto was no able to start so Ait-Nouri was used as their outlet on the RW by pushing up from a wing back position. He had a few good moments getting into the City half but was generally crowded out by the defenders once he made it there.

You'‘ll notice just how little of a presence Wolves had in the Manchester City final third, let alone the box. City would either press high when their was an opportunity to do so, making 11 high turnovers, but if it wasn’t possible they would drop back to then crowd out the Wolves players in possession once they moved the ball forward.

The goal by Wolves started with Rodri, Ake and Gvardiol switching off on the ball leaving Wolves the time to pick out the run of Semedo who then had the time to pick out his cross. Well taken volley by Hwang, an underrated forward in the Premier League, but it was a poor punch away from Ederson right to his feet to shoot.

Final point on what I mentioned in the preview about the Wolves performance earlier in the season, City never allowed them to get settled and compact in their shape. City made the tempo quick in the final third, were aggressive in their press at times and committed players forward to out number the Wolves back line. This City team made sure it looked nothing like the slow and risk adverse away performance last year.

Moving Forward

With Wolves out of the way Manchester City are back to being one point behind Arsenal, with a game in hand. Their turn for a 12:30 Saturday kick off next weekend when they travel to take on Fulham. A week off for the players to rest and next week will be the real test of Spurs away midweek, a ground City have scored and won at this season in the FA Cup but yet to do so in the Premier League.

Arsenal that next weekend will be travelling to Manchester to take on United, perhaps our local rivals will take advantage as Arsenal won’t be opting for parking the bus in that game. They need the win.

Interesting Moments, News and Links

• David Silva was in attendance at the Etihad on Saturday with his family and came out to a well deserved applause by the fans. Long time coming that one.

  

• To stay up to date with the Manchester City outfield players minutes, checkout our G Sheet here.

• MarkStatsBot - Manchester City vs Wolves here.

• Sky Blue Times thread post match here.

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