‘Haaland-less’ Man City back to winning ways, thrash Luton 2-1

Manchester City put their poor run of form behind as they came from one goal down to beat Luton at home by 2-1.

The defending champions returned to winning ways after three draws and a defeat in their past four Premier League ties despite the absence of their star striker, Erling Haaland.

City secured the maximum points available in the match as they scored two goals in the space of five second-half minutes, from Bernardo Silva and then Jack Grealish, to give the visitors the win.

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish to Sky Sports: “I think a lot of people like to talk about City and go on like it’s a big crisis, in reality we’ve played very good teams.

“Spurs who’ve been unbelievable, Liverpool who are top, Chelsea and Villa away, who’ve got one of the best records in Europe.

“We knew we had to keep calm today and buzzing to get back to winning ways.”

The club remained in fourth in the Premier League table, but now trail leaders Liverpool by just four points and Arsenal by three.

City have already qualified as group winners and this clash could give Pep Guardiola the opportunity to rest one or two players and give starting berths to those who have had fewer chances to play this season.

City will later host Crystal Palace in the Premier League next Saturday, 16 December at the Etihad before jetting off to Saudi Arabia and the FIFA Club World Cup.