Manchester City moved top of the Premier League for at least a day with a predictably dominant victory over struggling Luton Town.
City led after only 65 seconds at Etihad Stadium when Erling Haaland’s wayward volley hit Luton’s Daiki Hashioka before flying into the net.
It took City more than an hour to double their lead through Mateo Kovacic’s sweet, rising strike from near the edge of the area.
Haaland put the game beyond any doubt with a penalty after Jeremy Doku was fouled by Fred Onyedinma.
Just after City made a double change, Ross Barkley took advantage of a Matheus Nunes mistake to pull one back for the Hatters.But Doku cut in from the left to slot a fine solo goal into the bottom corner.
The impressive Doku set up City’s fifth as he picked out Josko Gvardiol, who slammed a beauty into the top corner – the defender’s second goal in a week having not scored for City before that.
City are two points clear at the top, although Liverpool – at home to Crystal Palace – and Arsenal, who host Aston Villa, can move back above them today. Luton remain in the relegation zone.
Brentford beat Sheffield United to claim their first win in 10 Premier League games and ease their relegation fears just as a calamitous own goal by goalkeeper Arijanet Muric prevented Burnley from securing a vital Premier League win over Brighton at Turf Moor which ended 1-1.
A dominant Newcastle United struck twice within 95 seconds as Alexander Isak’s brace helped them secure a 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, a vital result in their bid to qualify for European competition.
Similarly, Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The Red Devils came from behind twice, both times through captain Bruno Fernandes.
Elsewhere in Germany, Bayern Munich kept Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title celebrations on hold for at least one more day as the defending champions earned victory over relegation-threatened Cologne.
England captain Harry Kane and Mathys Tel both hit the post in a frustrating first half for Bayern, who needed one point to avoid conceding the title.
But goals from Raphael Guerreiro and Thomas Muller sealed victory.
The win leaves Bayern 13 points behind Bayer Leverkusen with five games to go.
It means Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten leaders, having played one game less, will be crowned German champions for the first time with victory over Werder Bremen today.
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