Man City continues incredible run
Late surge against Wolverhampton lifts Premier League leaders to 21st straight victory
Gabriel Jesus struck twice as Manchester City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1 on Tuesday to move 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League with their 21st straight win in all competitions.
City, storming towards their third league title in four years, scored three late goals to wrap up the victory and move onto 65 points with 11 games left to play, far ahead of Manchester United on 50 points, with a game in hand.
United are at Crystal Palace on Wednesday before facing City at the Etihad Stadium in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
City's latest win equals their club record run of 28 games unbeaten in all competitions, set between April and December 2017.
The margin of defeat was a little harsh on a Wolves side who were on level terms at the 80-minute mark, but City's late surge did reflect their dominance of the game.
Pep Guardiola's side took the lead in the 15th minute through an own goal from Wolves defender Leander Dendoncker, who stretched out a leg and turned the ball into the net as he tried to cut out a low cross from Riyad Mahrez.
City thought they had a two-goal lead to take into the interval but Aymeric Laporte's 44th-minute effort was ruled offside.
The impressive Mahrez then caused more chaos running in from the left, and Bernardo Silva's shot was pushed out by goalkeeper Rui Patricio to the City midfielder, who put his followup over the bar.
City kept up the pressure after the break. Kevin De Bruyne had a low shot turned wide by Patricio and then Mahrez cut in on to his left and blasted goalwards but the Wolves keeper saved well again.
Wolves had threatened little, but managed to draw level in the 61st minute on a diving header from Conor Coady, throwing himself at a perfectly delivered free kick from deep by Joao Moutinho.
Yet City didn't panic and continued to push forward in their relentless, passing-and-moving waves, and eventually they were rewarded.
Jesus restored City's lead in the 80th minute, driving home after the Wolves failed to clear a low ball into the box from Kyle Walker.
Mahrez slotted home the third in the final minute after some sloppy Wolves defending and then Jesus added his second in stoppage time.
Despite extending the club's record run of wins in all competitions to 21, the most for an English top-flight team, Guardiola was in no mood to talk about the title being in the bag.
“Manchester United. That's all we care (about now),” he said.
“The champions are Liverpool, the crown belongs to them. We're in the best position right now to take them out, and we are going to try, but they are the champions.
“There are 33 points to play for.”
BOURNEMOUTH, WATFORD CHARGED OVER BRAWL
Bournemouth and Watford have been charged by the Football Association after their championship match on Saturday descended into chaos as a brawl broke out in the closing stages.
Both sets of players clashed in the 96th minute after Watford forward Joao Pedro was dismissed for a second yellow card following a late tackle on Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma.
Bournemouth's Jack Wilshere was also sent off following an altercation with Watford skipper Tom Cleverley during the melee.
“Both clubs allegedly failed to ensure that their players and/or club officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 96th minute of the fixture and they have until Friday, March 5 to provide their responses,” the FA said in a statement.
Arnaut Danjuma scored the decisive goal as Jonathan Woodgate's Bournemouth secured a 1-0 victory.
ZAHA NEARS RETURN FOR CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said forward Wilfried Zaha is nearing full fitness but won't be rushed back into action when they host Manchester United on Wednesday.
Zaha, who has scored nine goals in 19 league games this season, has missed the last four Palace games with a hamstring injury.
Hodgson is hopeful that Zaha will be available for selection when they face London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
“He's returned to training, albeit a bit modified,” Hodgson told a news conference on Tuesday. “He looks ready to go again. We'll have to wait for the green light but it's looking positive.
“I think I'll be able to work him back into the squad very soon.”
Further attacking reinforcements are set to arrive for Palace, as long-term absentees Jeffrey Schlupp and Connor Wickham have also returned to first-team training.
“I'm optimistic that both of those players will be back for me very soon — they will be available even for tomorrow evening,” Hodgson said.