Jack Grealish is starting to do what Erling Haaland has already done for Man City

As Jack Grealish struggled to hit the heights expected of him last season, he could at least comfort himself with the idea it can take Manchester City signings a year or so to adapt to Pep Guardiola's unique demands. Until Erling Haaland arrived, anyway.

Countless City players have fared considerably better in their second season than their first for Guardiola and plenty of them surrounded Grealish at Molineux. But Haaland's impact has been swift and seismic.

Maybe that's what has led to the increased scrutiny on Grealish recently and the questions that have surrounded a £100million signing that hasn't looked to be at that level often enough.

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Pep Guardiola leapt to the defence of an attacker who had just six goals and four assists in 43 appearances for the club on Friday - and was repaid instantly. City had this game won at half-time thanks to the marquee signings of last summer and this, a player who was always going to face pressure because of a price tag and one who was so comparatively cheap it feels like a crime has been committed.

Grealish had been impressive in the rout of Sevilla last week and while he wasn't as bright against Dortmund, he had earned his third successive start and for all the criticism, it does feel like he is starting to justify his value.

Molineux had fallen silent before kick-off for tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a rousing rendition of God Save the King. The decibels of the final notes of the new national anthem had barely finished drifting around the stadium when City struck.

When Grealish was at Aston Villa he was one of Prince William's favourite players, so maybe it was fitting he opened the scoring on such a royal occasion.

Wol