Two quickfire second-half goals from Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish earned Manchester City a hard-fought 2-1 win at Luton Town to secure a first league victory in five matches.

The champions, who were without the injured Erling Haaland, fell behind to Elijah Adebayo’s header, but two goals in four minutes keep City in fourth, four points behind leaders Liverpool.

How the match unfolded

Pep Guardiola made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in midweek, with Haaland missing his first Premier League match of the season due to a foot injury.

Rico Lewis, John Stones and Manuel Akanji dropped to the bench, with Nathan Ake, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic and Grealish coming into the side. Julian Alvarez took up the centre-forward role in Haaland’s absence.

City started brightly, with Phil Foden forcing a save from Thomas Kaminski before Silva blasted the rebound wide.

The visitors continued to probe for the opening goal, with Rodri’s shot from distance stinging the palms of Kaminski before Foden forced another save from the Luton 'keeper.

But it was Luton who took a surprise lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time through Adebayo.

Ross Barkley produced a sublime piece of skill in central midfield to initiate a Luton attack down to right. Andros Townsend came back inside on his left foot, and his deep cross was headed in at the far post by Adebayo for the forward’s fourth goal of the season.

City have now fallen 1-0 behind in three successive Premier League matches for the first time since November 2019, during the last season they failed to win the title.

Guardiola’s side began the second half on the front foot, and went agonisingly close to equalising when Ruben Dias’ shot was tipped on to the crossbar by Kaminski. 

But the champions did level on 62 minutes, Rodri driving into the penalty area before the ball fell to Silva, who whipped a terrific strike into the bottom-left corner.

And City went in front three minutes later through Grealish.

After regaining possession in the final third, Alvarez got in down the right, and with Teden Mengi unable to intercept the Argentinian’s cross, Grealish slotted low past Kaminski from a tight angle.

The impressive Barkley fired a shot wide as Luton looked to respond, while Alvarez’s swerving effort from distance went narrowly over.

Luton built some late pressure though a series of corners, but City held firm to return to winning ways, moving on to 33 points.

A third straight defeat leaves Luton in 18th with nine points, four points from safety.

Luton report | Man City report

Match officials

Referee: Tim Robinson. Assistants: Marc Perry, Mat Wilkes. Fourth official: Craig Pawson. VAR: Jarred Gillett. Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.