Pep Guardiola's side hit the top of the Premier League with a ruthless 3-0 victory over Wolves.
There's a familiar look about the Premier League with Manchester City back on top following their 3-0 victory over Wolves.
Arsenal can climb above them with a victory over Brentford on Sunday, but Pep Guardiola's side are starting to look as threatening as they ever have done in their four title successes in the last five years.
The goals came from Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, while Wolves lost defender Nathan Collins to a straight red card for a ridiculous high challenge that floored Grealish.
But City were dominant long before that and thoroughly outclassed a struggling side short of goals.
Bigger tests will come after the international break, starting with the Manchester derby, but their title rivals will have been watching on nervously. The City machine marches on.
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Jack Grealish:
You could see in Grealish's face just how much his goal meant to him as he slid in front of the City fans following his 55-second strike.
Pep Guardiola may be happy with his contribution, but criticism has been growing and the England forward has said he wants more goals and assists.
After 125 days without a Premier League goal, there was sheer joy in his opener and coming so early in the game, it allowed him to settle quickly and there were some familiar flicks and dynamic runs of old.
Wolves fans weren't happy with him, particularly for his involvement in Nathan Collins' red card – more on that later – but Grealish knows that when he's getting booed, he's doing something right.
Erling Haaland:
It wouldn't be a City winners' column without a mention of the striker, who got his inevitable goal to become the the first player in Premier League history to score in his first four away games.
One of the benefits of being such a predator is that defenders are terrified when he's involved anywhere near the goal.
Certainly Max Kilman didn't know where to turn when Haaland picked up the ball 30 yards out, backing off and losing sight of the ball and allowing him to fire in a low, bobbling strike.
It wasn't quite as aesthetically pleasing as his acrobatics in midweek, but it's now 14 goals in 10 matches, seven successive games with a goal and 100 in his last 99 matches.
Kevin De Bruyne:
No player has scored more Premier League goals at Molineux in 2022 than De Bruyne, but he was back in assists mode here.
De Bruyne was utterly unstoppable at the end of last season when he scored four goals in a 5-1 victory when the title pressure was on.
Back to provider, he took less than a minute to steer in a trademark cross that this time eluded Haaland but was steered in by Grealish.
His second was another perfect cross for Foden, and with an industrious performance throughout, he remains City's most important player.
AdvertisementGettyThe Losers
Nathan Collins:
It's difficult to know what was more ridiculous, the defender's challenge on Grealish or his attempt to argue his way out of a red card.
Collins had both feet off the ground as he leapt studs-first, connecting with Grealish in the midriff.
Comparisons can be drawn to Eric Cantona's kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan, or Nigel de Jong's challenge on Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final, and referee Anthony Taylor had no hesitation in bringing out the red.
Collins still pleaded his innocence even after Grealish had shown the painful marks he had left behind.
Kalvin Phillips:
The England midfielder has endured a frustrating time since he moved from Leeds in the summer in a £42m deal.
His task of dislodging Rodri at the base of the midfield was never going to be easy, but his early months have been disrupted by a series of minor injuries.
Ignoring the friendly against Barcelona in the early weeks of the season, Phillips is yet to start a competitive game and has been on the pitch for fewer than 20 minutes.
He missed the trip to Molineux as he was not "fully fit" and must hope it doesn't stop him from joining up with Gareth Southgate's England squad to gain some rhythm.
Bruno Lage:
The sack race is centred around the Midlands at the moment, with Leicester's Brendan Rodgers, Aston Villa's Steven Gerrard and Nottingham Forest's Steve Cooper all potentially the next manager to go.
But with Wolves just two points off the relegation zone, Lage must be looking over his shoulder nervously.
His side didn't play badly at all, even after going down to 10 men, but scoring goals remains a big issue with just three from seven Premier League games.
Sasa Kalajdzic's knee ligament injury was a cruel setback but Lage must find an answer and needs Diego Costa to make an impact after the international break.
Ratings: Defence
Ederson (7/10):
His passing out was inch-perfect and the Brazilian was alert to any danger from fast counter-attacking balls from back-to-front.
John Stones (7/10):
Goncalo Guedes was the biggest threat on the break and forced Stones to stay wide and he coped with the threat well.
Manuel Akanji (7/10):
Just over a fortnight since he moved from Borussia Dortmund, the defender looked incredibly composed and unruffled on what could have been a difficult away trip.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Recalled to the starting line-up and organised the backline with his no-nonsense style.
Joao Cancelo (7/10):
Made the most of Grealish's inclusion by working intelligently with the winger to cut open Wolves' left-hand side.
Getty ImagesMidfield
Rodri (7/10):
Early booking for a pull-back on Matheus Nunes didn't stop him from bossing the centre of midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):
A typically non-stop performance and two assists as he set the tempo for City's attacks.
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
All over the pitch with his clever movement and passing that Wolves had no answer to.