MANCHESTER: Manchester City moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League despite having Rodri sent-off in a fiery 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland struck inside the first 15 minutes as City extended their perfect start in the Premier League to six games.

Pep Guardiola’s men have now won 20 consecutive home matches in all competitions, but were made to work much harder by Rodri’s moment of madness.

The Spaniard grabbed Morgan Gibbs-White around the neck less than 60 seconds into the second-half and could face a costly suspension as a three-game ban would see him miss the Premier League visit to Arsenal next month.

City were at their ruthless best early on to seemingly put the game to bed.

Foden smashed home a sweet volley from Kyle Walker’s cushioned cross to open the scoring in the seventh minute and Haaland was left unmarked to head home the second from a Matheus Nunes cross seven minutes later.

But the European champions did not appear in any danger until Rodri lost his cool.

Taiwo Awoniyi had Forest’s best chance to get back into the game when the in-form Nigerian lifted over under pressure from Ederson.

Awoniyi and the Brazilian goalkeeper were then lucky not to also see red as they went head-to-head in a fiery confrontation.

City, though, restored order as Guardiola switched to a back five to withstand an aerial bombardment from the visitors.

Elsewhere, Luton Town picked up their first ever Premier League point but let a huge opportunity slip in a 1-1 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The visitors at Kenilworth Road were reduced to 10 men when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde saw red on 39 minutes.

Pedro Neto still fired Wolves in front early in the second-half, but Carlton Morris’ penalty salved a point for Luton.

Crystal Palace and Fulham remain in the top half after a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

Published in Dawn, September 24rd, 2023