MAN CITY 3, WOLVES 0
Gabriel Jesus continued his red-hot scoring streak as Manchester City defeated 10-man Wolves at the Etihad.
The Brazilian scored twice to make it seven in three games and a goal every 34 minutes as City reduced the deficit on leaders Liverpool from seven to four points.
And City maintained their impressive record having never lost in the 20 games in which Jesus has scored.
But the game was effectively ended as a contest with less than 20 minutes played following Willy Boly’s sending off.
Wolves, in fairness, restricted City to a penalty and Conor Coady own goal as City made it 99 goals for the season in all competitions.
City also keep a first clean sheet in nine Premier League games with goalkeeper Ederson almost unemployed as Wolves, who suffered their heaviest loss of the season, mustered only two goal attempts, and none of target compared to 22 from City who had eight on target.
Embed from Getty ImagesManager Pep Guardiola was not happy with his side’s attacking play, saying: “We arrived in the final third easy but then forgot to attack the goal.
“When we arrive in the final third, we need more movement, something Kevin (De Bruyne) gave us when he came on.”
Guardiola was asked about the title race with Liverpool, explaining: “We have incredible numbers. It is difficult to maintain consistency after last season, but we have done so, but they have done better.
“All we can do is win our games and results will dictate who wins the league.”
Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo had no qualms about the sending off saying it was a red-card offence.
City had considerable firepower on the bench with Sergio Aguero, De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez on the bench.
Wolves had Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves and Leander Dendoncker back from the home defeat against Crystal Palace.
City made the perfect start taking a 10th minute lead through Jesus.
Leroy Sane broke on the left and his low cross eluded Wolves’ keeper Rui Patricio for Jesus, sliding in, finding the net from four yards.
It was Jesus’ 11th goal in his last eight appearances at the Etihad in all competitions and his 13th of the season
And it would have been 2-0 not long after when David Silva’s 25-yard drive was well tipped over the bar by Patricio.
Wolves faced a mountainous task when centre-back Willy Boly was sent off for a dangerous lunging challenge on Bernardo Silva.
City had an injury scare when Jesus collided with the upright when flying in to meet Kyle Walker’s cross. After a lengthy stoppage for treatment, the Brazilian was able to carry on.
The 10 men almost equalised in the 36th minute after a speedy counter attack that ended with Jonny Otto crossing from the left but Diogo Jota, sliding in, just failed to connect.
City doubled their lead in the 39th minute after Raheem Sterling was tripped by Ryan Bennett. It was City’s first Premier League penalty of the campaign.
Jesus obliged from the spot with his seventh goal in his last three games, all at home.
Sane had a couple of decent chances early in the second half – he dragged the first well wide and had strayed offside on the other occasion.
City made their first change just after the hour when David Silva, playing a club record 267th Premier League game for the club after beating Joe Hart’s total, was replaced by De Bruyne.
They made a second switch with 16 minutes left when Sane made way for Ilkay Gundogan and the third soon followed when Aguero replaced Jesus.
De Bruyne almost added a third goal when his fierce shot was beaten away for a corner by Patricio.
But from the resulting short corner and cross from De Bruyne, City found the net through a Coady own goal. Substitute Romain Saiss tried to head clear but the ball deflected off Coady and to the left of the motionless Patricio.