Five Things Learned: Manchester City 5-1 Luton Town (Premier League)

Manchester City shot to the top of the Premier League table with an important win over Luton Town on Saturday afternoon.

The recently promoted side arrived at the Etihad Stadium in battling form but proved no match for the Treble winners.

Pep Guardiola’s side surged into an early lead as Erling Haaland’s wayward shot took a cruel deflection off Daiki Hashioka and into the net.

The own goal set City on their course as they continued to attack the Hatters’ backline with Matheus Nunes going close seeing his shot strike the post.

After the restart the Premier League champions continued to pepper Luton’s backline with shots and finally doubled their lead.

Mateo Kovacic was already having a great game in midfield but his thunderous shot from the edge of the box only acted to consolidate this.

Luton then attempted to hit back quickly and went close as Cauley Woodrow’s attempt ferociously struck Ederson’s crossbar.

Haaland could not help getting on the scoresheet as the big Norwegian converted a penalty after Jeremy Doku was felled – that was the striker’s sixth goal against the Hatters in just two games this season following his five goals in the FA Cup earlier this year.

Luton did find themselves a goal late on albeit a consolation as Ross Barkley fired past Ederson after robbing the ball from Nunes.

The away side did not have the final say though as Doku scored a fanatic solo goal, weaving in and out of defenders before curling the ball around Thomas Kaminski.

City then added a late fifth as Josko Gvardiol added his second goal in week after his thunderbolt against Real Madrid on Tuesday. This goal from the Croatian was another beauty as he powered it in from distance after picking up the ball from substitute Oscar Bobb.

Here are five things we learned from City’s clash with the Hatters.

Title Race: ON

In recent weeks the discourse seems to be whether Arsenal or Liverpool will win the Premier League with many overlooking Manchester City despite them winning the last three.

Saturday’s dismantling of Luton Town was a stark reminder why the Cityzens have won five out of the last six available league titles.

The victory sent City top of the table and very much puts the pressure on the other two sides ahead of their respective clashes on Sunday afternoon.

If City can carry on this good form and continue exuding that experience which oozes confidence, they could be looking at an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title.

Kovacic is a serious baller

An absolute screamer versus Luton Town from Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic? Now where have I seen that before this season…

Even before his thunderous second-half hit, the Croatian was playing brilliantly at the Etihad Stadium with some perfect passing.

The composure brought to Pep Guardiola’s engine room in the heart of the pitch was all the more transparent in Rodri’s absence, earning him the MOTM award.

This brilliant display was of course capped off with his wonderous goal which brought reminders back of his goal versus the Hatters in the FA Cup.

Goal difference focus

Being in a Premier League title race with two other sides in April, it was imperative that Manchester City won on Saturday afternoon to keep the pace.

Yet after the win, the next most important thing to the boys in Blue was undoubtedly increasing their goal difference.

Heading into the game, City’s goal difference total was the lowest of the three sides and this statistic may well be paramount come the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola will be disappointed that his team let in a late goal from the Hatters and City will need to put together some clean sheets if they are to retain that league title.

Doku gets his goal

Much has been made of Jeremy Doku’s start to life in Manchester after his move from Rennes last summer.

After initial excitement and that game against Bournemouth, many fans have grown unimpressed with the Belgian’s poor final touch and finishing.

The winger reminded the doubters just what he has in his locker on Saturday afternoon as he danced around defenders to net City’s fourth goal of the match.

Doku needs to take this confidence into the final few games of the season if he is to contribute to what could be yet another special season for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Rodri Rested

At long last, Manchester City’s powerhouse midfielder Rodri was given a well-earned rest.

Having played most club matches since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2019, the Spaniard has been an irreplaceable piece of Pep Guardiola’s jigsaw.

From scoring the Champions League winner to being on an unbeaten streak of 66 City games, there is no doubting Rodri is the best of the best but even the greats deserve a break.

After looking tired in recent games, Guardiola afforded the star a rest on Saturday which is needed as we enter the business end of the season when Rodri will play as vital role as ever.