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 on Sunday.
City have done something they have not managed yet this season, winning a league game without Rodri.
The influential midfielder has missed three league games this season through suspension, the only three defeats City have experienced in the league.
He said he needed a rest after Tuesday’s 3-3 Champions League quarter-final thriller with Real Madrid and manager Pep Guardiola obliged. Rodri was on the bench but City did not need him.
Ederson was back in goal after a month out and he had a comfortable afternoon to ease back into the action.
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