Manchester City defeated Luton Town 5-1, with Erling Haaland scoring a goal as Pep Guardiola’s team takes the lead in the Premier League.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after Daiki Hashioka of Luton Town (not pictured) scores an own goal, the first goal for Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Luton Town at Etihad Stadium.

Mateo Kovacic scored a stunner as Manchester City went top of the Premier League table after a 5-1 home win over Luton Town.

The home side completely dominated the first half with 10 corners and 18 shots but they only had a fortunate own goal to show for it.

Jeremy Doku’s shot was charged down and Erling Haaland’s bicycle kick was way off target but it struck defender Daiki Hashioka in the face and went into the net in the second minute.

City were frustrated by a combination of poor finishing and brilliant defending from the Hatters’ makeshift defence thereafter, with Kevin De Bruyne going close on several occasions from distance while Matheus Nunes hit the post.

The second half was a similar story with Julien Alvarez wasting an opportunity from close range while Ruben Dias went close on three occasions.

City eventually made the game safe through a stunning half volley from Kovacic, coming inside the box via a short corner.

Rob Edwards brought on striker Cauley Woodrow and he nearly reduced the deficit soon after, hitting the bar with a first-time shot.

But Pep Guardiola’s side broke Luton’s resistance with a third from a penalty after Fred Onyedinma brought down by Jeremy Doku.

It was converted by Haaland for his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

Ross Barkley scored a consolation for the visitors but City had the final say through brilliant late goals from Doku and Josko Gvardiol.

The result sees City go two points clear of Arsenal and Liverpool while the Hatters remain in the relegation zone.

TALKING POINT

City win again without being fully convincing

Like so many of their games this season, City are relying on individual moments in the second half to seal games.

Against Villa it was a Phil Foden hat-trick, last week against Crystal Palace it was Kevin De Bruyne, this time it was brilliant goals from Kovacic, Doku and Gvardiol.

Not a bad formula to have as they chase another Treble. And the result puts the pressure back on Liverpool who face Brighton on Sunday and Arsenal who play Aston Villa.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Jeremy Doku (Manchester City): The winger was a threat throughout and he carved out a hatful of chances for his team-mates. He capped off his performance with a brilliant mazy run and finish in the box.

PLAYER RATINGS

MANCHESTER CITY:
– Ederson 5
– Lewis 5
– Akanji 5
– Dias 7
– Gvardiol 7
– Kovacic 7
– Nunes 5
– De Bruyne 6
– Alvarez 6
– Doku 9
– Haaland 6
Subs: Bobb n/a, Gomez n/a.

LUTON TOWN:
– Kaminski 8
– Onyedinma 7
– Burke 8
– Hashioka 6
– Doughty 7
– Berry 6
– Barkley 5
– Clark 5
– Townsend 5
– Chong 5
– Morris 5
Subs: Woodrow 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

2′ – GOAL FOR MAN CITY! Haaland’s shot is saved, Doku’s effort is blocked, Haaland’s bicycle kick then hits Hashioka in the face and goes in!

64′ – GOAL FOR MAN CITY! City have a corner. Its played short, Alvarez plays it to the edge of the box and Kovacic smashes it into the roof of the net.

67′ – WOODWORK! Onyedinma cuts it back to Woodrow whose first-time effort hits the bar.

76′ – GOAL FOR MAN CITY! Haaland scored a penalty after Onyedinma hauled down Doku.

81′ – GOAL FOR LUTON! Ederson and Nunes make a mess of it in their own box and Barkley punishes them by slotting in a low finish.

87′ – GOAL FOR MAN CITY! Doku jinks one way then the other before bending a shot into the corner. Lovely strike.

90’+3 – GOAL FOR MAN CITY! Doku pulls it back for Gvardiol who smashes the ball into the top corner.

KEY STAT