Manchester City thrash 10-man Wolves to keep the heat on Liverpool

Gabriel Jesus scored two goals as Manchester City thrashed 10-man Wolves 3-0 to cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table back to four points.

Jesus had already given Manchester City the lead when the match was effectively decided in the 20th minute by Willy Boly’s red card.

The Wolves defender dived into a sliding tackle with studs showing and although he won the ball, his followthrough took him right into Bernardo Silva’s ankle and referee Craig Pawson barely hesitated before sending the Frenchman on his way.

AS IT HAPPENED: Manchester City 3 Wolves 0

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Faced with the prospect of playing against 10 men for more than an hour, Pep Guardiola’s men duly dominated but despite having 80 per cent possession, they were largely kept at bay by a committed Wolves side who never gave up.

Jesus did score his seventh goal in three games from the penalty spot after Raheem Sterling had been tripped in the box; before Kevin De Bruyne, on as a second half substitute, added some deserved gloss to the scoreline with a late third as his wicked in-swinging cross found its way into the back of the net.

Following Liverpool’s win over Brighton on Saturday, Guardiola knew his side had to match that result to reduce the gap at the top of the table.

However, Manchester City knew they were facing a side who had taken more points off teams in the top six than anyone else, and had earned a draw in their previous clash.

But it took just 10 minutes and three touches for Manchester City to cut open their opponents.

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Aymeric Laporte’s raking long pass found Leroy Sane ghosting in behind Matt Doherty down the left; the winger was able to pick out Jesus on the six yard line and the striker had the simplest of finishes to give Manchester City the lead.

Things almost got worse for Wolves as David Silva’s 25-yard shot had to be tipped over the bar by Rui Patricio; that respite was short lived however, as they were soon reduced to 10 men with Boly’s red card.

A difficult job had become mission almost impossible for Wolves as the match began to resemble a training exercise, as Manchester City’s 11 men attacked Wolves’ 10 defenders.

Nun Espiritio Santo’s men did cause one scare on a rare foray forward but Jonny’s cross-shot eluded both Diogo Jota and Ederson’s far post.

But City finally made their dominance pay and doubled their lead with five minutes left in the half.

Bernardo Silva played the ball through a clutch of defenders, Raheem Sterling was too quick for Ryan Bennett and the Wolves defender stuck a leg out and tripped up the winger.

Jesus stepped up to send Rui Patricio the wrong way and Manchester City’s lead was doubled.

Nuno sent on Adama Traore at halftime and his pace offered Wolves offered more of a threat after the break but their opponents were utterly dominant, reducing Wolves’ fans to ironic chants of ‘ole’ whenever their team was able to string a series of passes together.

However, despite their dominance, Guardiola’s side struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

Kyle Walker and Fernandinho both had long-range efforts comfortably saved, Kevin De Bruyne volleyed an effort wide, while Sane fluffed a glorious chance he scuffed a first-time shot horribly wide.

De Bruyne then forced Patricio into a smart save before finally adding a third through the unfortunate Connor Coady.

The Belgian’s wicked inswinging cross was deemed to have taken enough of a deflection off the defender and past his own keeper to concede an own goal and complete the rout.