Soccer

Manchester City climb back to summit with convincing win over Luton

Premier League round-up: Man United twice come from behind to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth; Alexander Isak stars as Newcastle put four past Tottenham

Manchester City's Jeremy Doku celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match against Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Manchester City's Jeremy Doku celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal during the Premier League match against Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Sat Apr 13 2024 - 17:30

Manchester City thumped strugglers Luton 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium to move back top of the Premier League.

City took the lead after only 65 seconds when a volley from Erling Haaland hit Luton defender Daiki Hashioka in the face and the ball deflected off into the net.

Mateo Kovacic fired into the top corner from just inside the box to make it 2-0 in the 64th minute.

Luton substitute Cauley Woodrow saw his effort come back off the woodwork, before City added a third through a 77th minute penalty from Haaland, for his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

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Ross Barkley hit a consolation for the Hatters with 10 minutes left, but Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol added two more late goals as City moved two points clear of title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool, who are both in action on Sunday.

Saturday’s late match saw Manchester United twice come from behind to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth.

Dominic Solanke fired the Cherries into a 16th-minute lead. Bruno Fernandes drilled in from close range to equalise after 31 minutes, but Bournemouth soon regained the lead through Justin Kluivert after some more wayward United defending.

Bournemouth went close to at third when a downward header from Milos Kerkez bounced up on to the crossbar. Then in first-half stoppage-time, Fernandes saw his long-range effort clip the top of the woodwork.

Fernandes did get his second goal in the 66th minute when he slotted in a penalty following a handball given against Adam Smith.

There was a controversial ending in stoppage time when Ryan Christie went down under a challenge from Willy Kambwala, with referee Tony Harrington initially pointing to the spot.

However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned to a free-kick just outside the area, which was deflected behind for a corner.

In Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off, Newcastle dented Tottenham’s Champions League push with a 4-0 win at St James’ Park, where Alexander Isak scored twice.

Isak put the Magpies ahead on the half-hour mark with a low shot into the corner and Anthony Gordon soon made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute.

Sweden forward Isak took his season tally past the 20-goal mark when he added another after breaking clear early in the second half before Fabian Schar scored a late fourth from a corner to boost Newcastle’s own European hopes.

Relegation-battlers Burnley missed the chance to make up ground on the sides above them after a shocking mistake from goalkeeper Arijanet Muric handed Brighton an equaliser at Turf Moor.

Substitute Josh Brownhill put the Clarets ahead in the 74th minute. Brighton, though, were back on level terms just five minutes later when Muric allowed a back pass from Sander Berge to go under his foot for an own goal.

Brentford secured a first league win since early February as they beat bottom club Sheffield United 2-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Bees broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute through an own goal from Blades midfielder Oliver Arblaster.

Mikkel Damsgaard thought he had added a second with a low strike but his effort was ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up, before substitute Frank Onyeka did make it 2-0 in stoppage time.

Nottingham Forest fought back to draw 2-2 with Wolves and edge a point further clear of Luton, who remain in the final relegation spot.

Wolves took the lead five minutes before the break through a curling strike by Matheus Cunha.

Forest, though, were level in first-half stoppage time when Morgan Gibbs-White flicked in from a corner.

Danilo put Forest in front when he slotted in a rebound after 57 minutes, but the visitors were soon back level when Cunha struck again from close range just after the hour.