Erling Haaland delivered a breathtaking, record-shattering performance at the Etihad, netting four times to propel Manchester City to a resounding 5-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and edge the champions ever closer to another Premier League crown.
The Norwegian phenomenon was utterly unplayable, single-handedly dismantling the Wolves defence with a devastating display of finishing. His incredible haul takes his league tally for the season to an unprecedented 36 goals, breaking the record for a 38-game Premier League season previously held by Mohamed Salah and Alan Shearer.
A First-Half Masterclass and a Historic Hat-Trick
Haaland's demolition job began early. He coolly slotted home a penalty after just 12 minutes, following a foul on Ilkay Gundogan. He doubled City's lead and his personal tally just past the half-hour mark, powerfully heading home from a sublime Kevin De Bruyne cross.
The quickest hat-trick of the season was completed in stunning fashion just before the break. Haaland showcased his predatory instincts, pouncing on a loose ball and unleashing a ferocious left-footed strike that flew into the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and effectively killing the contest before halftime.
Making It Four and Sealing the Record
Any hopes of a Wolves comeback were extinguished shortly after the interval. The irrepressible Haaland was on hand again to tap in his fourth from close range after more brilliant work from Phil Foden, putting an exclamation mark on a truly historic individual performance.
Wolves managed a scant consolation through a Hwang Hee-chan strike, but it was nothing more than a footnote. City substitute Julian Alvarez came off the bench to rub salt in the wounds, curling in a beautiful fifth goal to complete the rout.
Title Charge Gathers Unstoppable Momentum
This emphatic win, powered by their Nordic goal machine, sends a chilling warning to rivals Arsenal. Pep Guardiola's side are now just one win away from securing a historic fourth consecutive English league title. With Haaland in this kind of record-breaking form, their pursuit of an elusive Treble appears more formidable than ever.
