Player Ratings: Manchester City 3-0 Wolves (Premier League)

After a dramatic comeback victory against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, Manchester City continued picking up steam by cruising past relegation threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.

It took some time for the Blues to find their footing in the attacking half, but the run of play was clear from the off, with Wolves sitting very deep and looking to absorb the City pressure.

However, that pressure told in the final five minutes of the first half when a superb counter-attacking move was capped off by an inch-perfect Kevin De Bruyne cross for Erling Haaland, who nodded home with aplomb to open the scoring.

Two quick Erling Haaland goals in the second half all but killed off the visitors, seeing City jump back into the win column and put more pressure on league leaders Arsenal.

Here is how we rated the players for their impressive performance!

Starting XI

Ederson – 7

The Brazilian should have brought a book with him onto the pitch, he was hardly involved in the game, but was calm, cool and collected when needed.

Rico Lewis – 6

The teenager didn’t seem to put a foot wrong in the first half, buzzing around the center of the park as usual. However, for reasons unknown he was substituted at half-time.

John Stones – 8

Stones has quickly made himself one of the first names on the team-sheet since the World Cup, and it was another rock solid performance at the back, and with the ball at his feet.

Manuel Akanji – 7

Akanji remains an absolute steal in the summer transfer market. Against Wolves he had little to do was but was key in City’s build up with Wolves sitting so deep.

Aymeric Laporte – 7

Sensational on the ball as usual, handy when needed in defence.

Rodri – 8

City’s ability to smother teams in the attacking half is their best asset, and Rodri was the main man for winning the ball back against Wolves to set City on their way.

Kevin De Bruyne – 6

De Bruyne showed flashes of his normal self, picking up the assist for the opening goal. But he continues to look slightly off.

Ilkay Gündogan – 7

The German was his usual self against the Wanderers, drifting from midfield into pockets of space in the Wolves box. Another astute performance from the captain. (Point deducted for one of the misses of the season)

Jack Grealish – 7

Grealish continues to impress since the World Cup break. From the wing, his ability to control the tempo and cut through the Wolves rearguard made him a constant threat on the day.

Riyad Mahrez – 7

Similarly to his wing partner, Mahrez buzzed around the edge of Wolves’ low-block, and impressed once again.

Erling Haaland – 9

The big striker was back on his game against Wolves, picking up a hat-trick while finding himself far more involved in the play than in recent weeks.

Erling Haaland vs Wolves:

3 Goals
16 Touches
6 Accurate Passes
85.7% Pass Accuracy
4 Shots On Target pic.twitter.com/p1SberKbzL

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 22, 2023

Substitutes

Nathan Aké – 6

Like his defensive partners, Ake did not have much to do against a limp Wolves attack.

Julián Álvarez – 6

Not too involved after replacing Erling Haaland.

Kalvin Phillips – NA

Bernardo Silva – NA

Cole Palmer – NA