Manchester City climbed back to the top of the Premier League table with a thumping win over relegation-threatened Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Just the one goal was netted in the first half of this high-scoring clash as Daiki Hashioka inadvertently nodded into his own net.
But following what must have been an inspired team talk from Pep Guardiola, City came out in the second half and scored four fine finishes to enter pole position in the Premier League.
How the game unfolded
It was a dream start for the hosts and a nightmare for the visitors as just 90 seconds into this clash, Erling Haaland’s acrobatic effort hammered off the head of Hashioka and flew into the top corner.
Josko Gvardiol, confident from his first City goal in midweek against Real Madrid, came close to scoring another long-range strike but his effort in the ninth minute was palmed away by Thomas Kaminski. Kevin De Bruyne had a go himself from the following corner but this chance sailed over the woodwork.
It could have been 2-0 on the 15-minute mark as Jeremy Doku worked hard down the left and pulled the ball back for Matheus Nunes, the midfielder’s shot ultimately lacking the venom to hit the back of the net.
Luton’s first chance arose soon after as Alfie Doughty broke past several players in blue. Andros Townsend managed to cut in from the left but his pass to Carlton Morris was below par, allowing Ruben Dias to retrieve possession.
Haaland could have immediately punished Rob Edwards’ men as De Bruyne found the Norwegian at the back post, but his sliding strike was off target.
Guardiola’s side continued to exhibit sheer dominance in the first half and on the half-hour mark, Nunes came remarkably close to extending their lead, with his low strike narrowly missing the target.
As the opening 45 minutes drew to a close, De Bruyne’s strike from distance was well read by Kaminski before Mateo Kovacic became the last City player to shoot without scoring in the opening 45. The home side tallied up 18 shots and ultimately scored with none of them in the first half.
The first notable chance of the second half came in the 57th minute when Dias whistled the woodwork from outside the box before Alvarez lashed the ball over the crossbar with time and space on his side.
At long last, the scoreline read 2-0 when a short corner routine found its way to Kovacic about 20 yards from goal. Despite the ball bouncing awkwardly, the midfielder executed a flawless half-volley, sending the ball soaring…
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