'Perfect' Kevin De Bruyne hits four as Manchester City edge closer to title

Kevin De Bruyne's incredible four-goal haul kept Manchester City on course for the Premier League title as the defending champions thrashed Wolves 5-1 at Molineux on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola's stars moved three points clear of Liverpool with two games to play and boosted their goal difference to seven superior to the Reds.

City need just four points from Sunday's trip to West Ham and the visit of Aston Villa on the final day of the season to be crowned champions for the fourth time in five years.

And with De Bruyne on this form, they will take some stopping as the Belgian produced his brilliant best to blow away the hosts with a hat-trick inside 24 minutes.

"We played really well in this stadium we know how difficult it is. Three points, rest and then West Ham," manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports.

As for De Bruyne's display, Guardiola added: "He has played the last two or three months especially in the Premier League outstanding, and in the Champions League as well. He has been our key man in this part of the season.

"Today he scored four goals. Unstoppable, brilliant, awesome outstanding, perfect.

"He had the ability to create the special things.

"It is not just what he creates and the goals and everything. He helps us a lot. I am happy because Kevin is so generous and always thinking the best for the team but this year is also the most prolific for him."

City broke the news on Tuesday that they have beaten Europe's top clubs to the signature of Erling Haaland.

However, even the Norwegian goalscoring phenomenon would struggle to match the range of finishes off both feet dispatched by De Bruyne.

KDB