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Wolves 1-5 Man City: Kevin de Bruyne scores four goals to send leaders three points clear

By Chris BevanBBC Sport at Molineux

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments2268

Kevin de Bruyne scores his third goal for Manchester City against Wolves
De Bruyne has scored 19 goals in all competitions for Manchester City this campaign - his best ever goalscoring season for the club since he joined in 2015

Kevin de Bruyne's stunning four-goal haul helped Manchester City thump Wolves and restored their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola's side now need only four points from their final two fixtures to ensure they will finish above Liverpool and win their fourth title in five seasons.

De Bruyne has played a central role in all of those previous triumphs but this was an individual display that must rank among the finest of his stellar collection in a City shirt.

The Belgian started the move that led to his side's opener, and finished it too, running on to Bernardo Silva's pass to slot home.

Wolves did not take long to respond, with a rapid counter-attack ending when Pedro Neto found Leander Dendoncker in space on the edge of the box to fire past Ederson.

This was De Bruyne's stage, however, and he quickly put his side back in front. Again, he played a part in the build-up too, and was in the right place to smash in the rebound after Jose Sa beat Raheem Sterling to his pass.

His third goal - again with his so-called weaker left foot - was the pick of the bunch, and saw him drive towards the edge of the area and curl into the bottom corner.

De Bruyne's hat-trick was his first for City and at 24 minutes was the third-quickest in Premier League history.

He celebrated in style by copying the meditation celebration of his soon-to-be team-mate Erling Haaland, who City reached an agreement to sign this week, but he was not finished yet.

City came out for the second half looking for more goals to improve their goal difference, which was already three better than Liverpool's before kick-off.

Raheem Sterling thought he had extended their lead when he ran clear and beat Sa but an offside flag cut short his celebrations.

It was left to De Bruyne to make it 4-1, typically making no mistake when a Phil Foden cross was deflected into his path and finding the bottom corner with his first right-footed effort of the night.

More chances followed, with Foden hitting the post and Sterling missing an easy chance but eventually someone else did get in on the act, with Sterling tapping into an empty net after Sa denied Joao Cancelo.

This was still the De Bruyne show, however. City are not over the line yet, and their next test is an awkward trip to West Ham on Sunday, but on this evidence they will take some stopping.

Laporte injury is a cause for concern

This was a night to savour for Guardiola and City's travelling fans but the one note of concern was the sight of Aymeric Laporte and Fernandinho being forced off with an injury in the second half.

City may have bolstered their attack for next season with their agreement to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland but it is defence where they are short right now.

With Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker already out injured for the season and Nathan Ake not fully fit,Guardiola chose to put veteran midfielder Fernandinho in his back-line alongside Laporte at Molineux.

Wolves were set up to make the most of any lack of pace in City's rearguard and, initially, looked dangerous whenever they broke forward.

When Dendoncker's equaliser came via that route and left the home fans in raptures, it seemed Wolves would ensure City were in for a difficult night. De Bruyne had other ideas, however.

A good game for Lage to miss

Wolves boss Bruno Lage was absent from the dugout after testing positive with Covid, and communicated with his coaching staff by phone.

One can only imagine he attempted to get the message across on a number of occasions that they should try to stop City's number 17, but the task was beyond any of his players.

De Bruyne almost added a fifth goal for himself before the end, and the only surprise was that he fired against the post on that occasion rather than finding the corner of the net.

He had done little else wrong all night, and was rightly serenaded by City's jubilant supporters when he celebrated with them at the final whistle.

Player of the match

De BruyneKevin De Bruyne

with an average of 8.94

Wolverhampton Wanderers

  1. Squad number32Player nameDendoncker
    Average rating

    5.74

  2. Squad number9Player nameJiménez
    Average rating

    5.70

  3. Squad number16Player nameCoady
    Average rating

    5.64

  4. Squad number7Player namePedro Neto
    Average rating

    5.59

  5. Squad number1Player nameJosé Sá
    Average rating

    5.57

  6. Squad number20Player nameChiquinho
    Average rating

    5.56

  7. Squad number8Player nameRúben Neves
    Average rating

    5.55

  8. Squad number28Player nameJoão Moutinho
    Average rating

    5.46

  9. Squad number19Player nameJonny
    Average rating

    5.45

  10. Squad number3Player nameAït-Nouri
    Average rating

    5.39

  11. Squad number15Player nameBoly
    Average rating

    5.26

  12. Squad number11Player nameTrincão
    Average rating

    4.74

  13. Squad number39Player nameCundle
    Average rating

    4.59

  14. Squad number26Player nameHwang Hee-Chan
    Average rating

    4.57

Manchester City

  1. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
    Average rating

    8.94

  2. Squad number6Player nameAké
    Average rating

    7.38

  3. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    7.34

  4. Squad number47Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    7.25

  5. Squad number27Player nameJoão Cancelo
    Average rating

    6.86

  6. Squad number26Player nameMahrez
    Average rating

    6.83

  7. Squad number8Player nameGündogan
    Average rating

    6.81

  8. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    6.76

  9. Squad number14Player nameLaporte
    Average rating

    6.74

  10. Squad number31Player nameEderson
    Average rating

    6.70

  11. Squad number11Player nameZinchenko
    Average rating

    6.69

  12. Squad number25Player nameFernandinho
    Average rating

    6.66

  13. Squad number10Player nameGrealish
    Average rating

    6.52

  14. Squad number7Player nameSterling
    Average rating

    6.19

Line-ups

Wolves

Formation 3-5-2

  • 1Malheiro de Sá
  • 19Castro Otto
  • 16Coady
  • 15Boly
  • 20Tomás Oliveira
  • 32Dendoncker
  • 8Neves
  • 28João MoutinhoSubstituted forCundleat 85'minutes
  • 3Aït-Nouri
  • 7NetoSubstituted forMachado Trincãoat 72'minutes
  • 9JiménezSubstituted forHwang Hee-Chanat 72'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Hoever
  • 5Marçal
  • 11Machado Trincão
  • 14Mosquera
  • 17Fábio Silva
  • 21Ruddy
  • 24Gomes
  • 26Hwang Hee-Chan
  • 39Cundle

Man City

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 31Ederson
  • 27Cancelo
  • 25FernandinhoSubstituted forMahrezat 77'minutes
  • 14LaporteSubstituted forAkéat 61'minutes
  • 11Zinchenko
  • 16Rodri
  • 8Gündogan
  • 7Sterling
  • 17De BruyneBooked at 78mins
  • 47FodenSubstituted forGrealishat 81'minutes
  • 20Bernardo Silva

Substitutes

  • 6Aké
  • 9Gabriel Jesus
  • 10Grealish
  • 13Steffen
  • 26Mahrez
  • 56Egan-Riley
  • 79Mbete
  • 80Palmer
  • 90Lavia
Referee:
Martin Atkinson

Match Stats

Home TeamWolvesAway TeamMan City
Possession
Home34%
Away66%
Shots
Home7
Away15
Shots on Target
Home3
Away5
Corners
Home6
Away2
Fouls
Home2
Away11

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Manchester City 5.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Manchester City 5.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. 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.

  4. Post update

    Attempt missed. Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Rúben Neves.

  5. Post update

    Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) hits the left post with a left footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Riyad Mahrez.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).

  7. Post update

    Chiquinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Jack Grealish (Manchester City).

  9. Post update

    José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  10. Post update

    Offside, Manchester City. Kevin De Bruyne tries a through ball, but Raheem Sterling is caught offside.

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Luke Cundle replaces João Moutinho.

  12. Goal!

    Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 1, Manchester City 5. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal.

  13. Post update

    Attempt blocked. João Cancelo (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Grealish with a through ball.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Jack Grealish replaces Phil Foden.

  15. Post update

    Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Chiquinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

  17. Booking

    Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).

  19. Post update

    Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez replaces Fernandinho.

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2268 comments

  • Comment posted by Allcanseeit, at 22:09 11 May

    Been going to the Molinuex for 52 yrs and tonight it was a real privilege to watch Manchester City....outstanding to a man.

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:13 11 May

      Sport Report replied:
      Good job they're getting Haaland in to stop this goal drought

  • Comment posted by 007, at 22:10 11 May

    I admire KDB. Humble, hard-working, gives his all in every single game, shows hunger, desire, determination, passion and is a leader. He reminds me a lot of the players pre 2010 where you had hungry players playing for the badge and the club. He doesn’t let money affect him at all. Top top player.

    • Reply posted by Des Wigwam, at 22:18 11 May

      Des Wigwam replied:
      Yes I totally agree, he is the complete opposite to the pathetic dregs we currently have at United (bar 2 exceptions). Wonderful player to watch, class guy. Haaland must be licking his lips that he is going to play in a team with KDB next season

  • Comment posted by molly, at 22:11 11 May

    Liverpool fan, City are on fire. Can’t argue with them winning the league

    • Reply posted by Stephen James walters, at 22:18 11 May

      Stephen James walters replied:
      Respect

  • Comment posted by DillyD, at 22:11 11 May

    Just goes to show what the Football Writers know about football when they vote for Salah and not KDB!

    • Reply posted by Bojos Hapless Clown Circus, at 22:18 11 May

      Bojos Hapless Clown Circus replied:
      He's never won a Champions League

  • Comment posted by siking89, at 22:11 11 May

    10 goals in the 2 games that followed a sore champions league semi exit, that’s a champions response!

    • Reply posted by Leo Szillard, at 22:14 11 May

      Leo Szillard replied:
      Winning the premiership is about having the biggest squad of top players. Winning the Champions league Cup is about having the best team.

  • Comment posted by Alp Levant, at 22:10 11 May

    In the last two seasons KDB played as #6, #7, #8 a false 8 and a false 9. The lad is as good as anyone in at least three of these position if not all. What a footballer and a team player. Comes across well grounded too. Good on you Kevin!

    • Reply posted by Keepthefaith28, at 22:17 11 May

      Keepthefaith28 replied:
      Weren’t that good against real though was he 😂

  • Comment posted by Dino, at 22:10 11 May

    anyone but Liverpool

    • Reply posted by chelseakev, at 22:12 11 May

      chelseakev replied:
      Of course

  • Comment posted by xBrito, at 22:12 11 May

    If Haaland can score all those chances that Sterling misses, next season may not be so close.

    • Reply posted by Stephen James walters, at 22:23 11 May

      Stephen James walters replied:
      Oh my Haaland would score 40 goals on that assumption

  • Comment posted by Gert Buster, at 22:10 11 May

    Well played City. Keeps them bitter plastic scousers crying even longer oooooofffff !

    • Reply posted by Bojos Hapless Clown Circus, at 22:13 11 May

      Bojos Hapless Clown Circus replied:
      Who you got in the Champions League lol?

  • Comment posted by Ceciliars, at 22:10 11 May

    Blimey add Haaland to this team next season.... Does any other team stand a chance?!
    What a player that Kevin is!

    • Reply posted by Ceciliars, at 22:21 11 May

      Ceciliars replied:
      Hopefully we'll buy Darwin Nunez to try to match City...

  • Comment posted by Dan Dan Dan Dan, at 22:10 11 May

    Sensational from City, just a phenomenal end to the season 👏
    Fair play and congratulations on the league from a Liverpool fan 👏

    • Reply posted by Stephen James walters, at 22:24 11 May

      Stephen James walters replied:
      Cheers

  • Comment posted by Dostoyevsky, at 22:10 11 May

    While the furore of the fake scouser phenomenon continues to spread across the country like wildfire - amid a media over-hyping of epic proportions - the one fact still remains: while Liverpool are an excellent side and have been for some years, over the last decade, City - apart from one season - have been just that little bit better. Hence five Premier League titles to one. And soon to be six.

    • Reply posted by jdjdj, at 22:14 11 May

      jdjdj replied:
      And no champions league

  • Comment posted by taylor01pe, at 22:12 11 May

    What can you say about this city team which hasn’t been said already. Deserved title winners elect. Class individually and class as a team. Looks like they’re set to get stronger too so the onus is on Liverpool to step up for next year. What a season for both though! #Newcastle fan in admiration.

    • Reply posted by Renegade, at 22:15 11 May

      Renegade replied:
      City are on another level , this is probably the best football we've ever seen.

  • Comment posted by Chris, at 22:14 11 May

    De Bruyne. Best player in the Premiership. Joy to watch.

    • Reply posted by Galtraveller , at 22:20 11 May

      Galtraveller replied:
      And yet the media luvvies think otherwise

  • Comment posted by mcm75, at 22:32 11 May

    LFC fan. What a performance from Man City tonite and last Sunday. Most of the media thought that the defeat to RM last week would stump City but genuine football and Liverpool fans knew deep down they would bounce back but to score 10 goals in last two games …wow. And they have now bought Haaland… phew. Liverpool will plug on but I for one will give City the round of applause they deserve..

    • Reply posted by Pen Factory, at 22:39 11 May

      Pen Factory replied:
      Agreed!

  • Comment posted by imado, at 22:11 11 May

    After today game, all City players need to show De Bruyne respect and work hards to improve their skills to his level.

    Thank you De Bruyne 💙💙💙💙

    • Reply posted by King Kladzeeee, at 22:36 11 May

      King Kladzeeee replied:
      Spot on Imado. They need to show at least the concentration and application of Du Bruyne. All need to get on his wavelength. Haaland will am sure of it.

  • Comment posted by David , at 22:10 11 May

    It’s all over scousers….