For Haaland, this season has so far amounted to a massive masterclass in finishing. By scoring here Haaland became the first Premier League player to score in each of his first four away games. He has scored in each of his last seven games and has personally outplayed Chelsea, Manchester United and 11 other top-flight sides. City took the lead within a minute and things went from bad to worse for Wolves when, two goals down, Nathan Collins was sent off on 33 minutes for a savage kung fu kick on Grealish. City are now unbeaten in 22 away games in the Premier League – a club record. When the visitors took the lead after 55 seconds, it marked the start of a miserable afternoon for those wearing old gold. City raced down the right, Foden laid the ball back into the path of the incomparable Kevin De Bruyne, whose cross was typically masterful. The ball eluded Haaland at the front post, but not Grealish at the back, the winger beat Jonny to the punch to score his first goal since May before leaving in celebration. Foden kissed Grealish’s forehead and Pep Guardiola, who this week defended Grealish’s form, simply took a few sips of water. Phil Foden beats José Sá for the third goal. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA “Right, people have been asking questions,” Grealish said after the game. “I should score more and get more assists. I will always have people talking about me because of the amount I bought [£100m] but, if you look at my whole career, I probably haven’t scored as much as some people. It’s something I want to add to my game.” By the time Haaland stroked the ball into the net on 16 minutes, having let it wander into a huge hole in the area, this match had become a non-event. The match was certainly up for Wolves when Collins made a sharp and rash challenge on Grealish that left the City midfielder nursing his hip and stomach and Wolves down to 10 men. Collins left the field, furious and seemingly inconsolable as he headed for the tunnel through a fruitless pit stop with fourth official Tony Harrington seconding his view. The pained expression on Bruno Latz’s face said it all, but Wolves, to their credit, did not collapse. Their captain Ruben Neves filled in at centre-back and Gonzalo Guedes and Daniel Pontens continued to pull away, the latter curling a shot just wide of the post. But City never needed to worry. Wolves’ Nathan Collins pounces on the unexpected challenge on Jack Grealish that resulted in him being shown a red card. Photo: Carl Recine/Action Images/Reuters The visitors were in complete control, but it seems that the more comfortable they are, the more Guardiola is on his players’ case. He frantically slapped his hands on the touchline with the demeanor of a man who’s just been told his luggage was lost. Approaching the hour mark, shortly after Guedes left his lines after being picked out in the box by Rayan Aït-Nouri, Guardiola closed his eyes and simmered as City allowed Wolves to cling to the idea of a comeback. It’s safe to say those hopes were dashed when Foden applied a deft finishing touch to another superb De Bruyne cross with 21 minutes to play. Start your evenings with the Guardian’s view of the world of football Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Before Collins’ header, Pedro Neto pulled a shot wide after good work from Guedes, who is still searching for his first goal since signing from Valencia. He shuffled past John Stones and sent a shot saved by Ederson at his near post. Haaland may have doubled but Wolves, who have won just one of their last 14 top-flight games, have managed just three goals this season. “When you don’t score, it’s a concern,” Lage said. “I’m not happy because we lost the game, but I see good signs.”
