Manchester City claimed first place in the Premier League, even if temporarily, following a comprehensive triumph over beleaguered Luton Town.
The hosts opened the scoring within 65 seconds, thanks to an own goal by Luton’s Daiki Hashioka, whose attempted block of Erling Haaland’s misdirected volley inadvertently sent the ball into his own net.
Despite dominating possession, it wasn’t until the 63rd minute that City managed to extend their lead, compliments of Mateo Kovacic’s splendid, soaring shot from just outside the box.
Haaland added another goal via a penalty kick in the 72nd minute after Jeremy Doku had been brought down inside the area.
Ross Barkley capitalised on a blunder by Matheus Nunes to reduce the deficit for Luton, but Belgium international Doku restored City’s three-goal cushion shortly thereafter with a well-executed solo effort, placing the ball neatly into the bottom corner.
With mere minutes remaining, Doku turned provider once again, finding Josko Gvardiol unmarked in the box, allowing him to smash a powerful shot into the top corner – marking the defender’s second goal in under a week.
Manchester City now enjoys a two-point gap atop the table; however, both Liverpool (hosting Crystal Palace) and Arsenal (facing Aston Villa) have opportunities to regain the summit on Sunday.