Manchester City vs Wolves result: Gabriel Jesus goals prove his value - five things we learned from 3-0 win

Five things we learned from the Etihad on Monday night, including Aymeric Laporte is as important going forward as he is in defence, and Willy Boly can have no complaints

Manchester City eased past 10-man Wolves to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool.

It took City just ten minutes to take the lead, when Gabriel Jesus tapped in Leroy Sane’s cutback, after a wonderful 40-yard pass from Aymeric Laporte.

The Brazilian then doubled City’s lead from the penalty spot shortly before half-time.

Kevin de Bruyne then made extra sure of the win when his cross evaded everybody and snuck into the net.

Here are five things we learned from the match.

Gabriel Jesus shows his worth

A view eyebrows were raised when Manchester City’s team sheet was published ahead of kick-off, with Sergio Aguero left on the bench in favour of Gabriel Jesus.

Gabriel Jesus celebrates his opening goal (Getty)

But it did not take long for the 21-year-old to prove his worth to this team. Leroy Sane was the architect – charging down the left and setting up an easy tap in – but Jesus has an uncanny knack for always being in the right place at the right time. He doubled his lead a few minutes later, when he sent Rui Patrício the wrong way from the spot.

The Brazilian has now scored 12 goals in his last 14 games – without even scoring in nine of them. A remarkable statistic from a player brimming with confidence.

Aymeric Laporte excellent in attack

While we’re on the topic of Manchester City’s first goal – Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte deserves a huge share of the credit.

Aymeric Laporte had a fine game (Getty)

The 24-year-old played one of the passes of the season to release Leroy Sane down the left, somehow threading the ball between three Wolves players into a small slither of space.

Laporte’s technical excellence illustrates just why this City team is so dangerous. If opponents press forward, they are sliced open on the counter. But if teams sit back and invite pressure, players like Laporte can find that eye of a needle pass to seize the initiative.

Willy Boly costs his team dear

It wasn’t a terrible tackle – but it was a stupid one. Willy Boly can have few complaints with his red card, which ultimately cost Wolves any chance they had of salvaging something from this game.

Willy Boly received his marching orders (AFP/Getty)

“A few years ago he would have gotten away with that,” commented Jamie Carragher at half-time. But Boly went in far too hard on Bernardo Silva with his studs showing, and it did not take the referee long to send him off.

There was simply no need for Boly to make such a rough tackle, particularly as he was scrapping for the ball in the middle of the pitch. He became the first Wolves player to be sent off in a Premier League game since Sebastien Bassong versus Arsenal in April 2012 – costing his team dear.

Raheem Sterling does what he does best

Since the start of the 2015-16 season, only Leicester’s Jamie Vardy (12) and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha (12) have won more Premier League penalties than Raheem Sterling (11).

Raheem Sterling won a first-half penalty (Getty)

Sterling is just so good at darting into the box, shuffling around flat-footed centre-backs with his excellent close control before drawing the foul. It is a useful talent, with Gabriel Jesus’ first-half penalty essentially wrapping up this match before the half-time whistle.

On this occasion the penalty was a little soft, with Ryan Bennett only making minimal contact, but the referee is always likely to favour a forward sent sprawling on those kinds of occasions.

Wolves fail to raise their game

Wolves have an excellent record against the Premier League heavyweights in their first season back in the big time.

Wolves had a disappointing evening (AFP/Getty)

Ahead of this game, Nuno Espirito Santo's side had won two and drawn three of their seven league matches to date against the top six – losing just two. A fine record when you consider that six clubs have failed to pick up a point against the top six teams.

But they were in serious trouble here after conceding such an early goal and never looked as though they were going to snatch a point.