Manchester City secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday, thanks to a late header from John Stones in added time.
The Premier League champions were pushed to their limits by a resilient Wolves side, who took a surprising early lead but couldn’t hold on as City’s persistence paid off in the final moments of the match.
Wolves Shock City with Early Goal
Wolves, who have endured a challenging start to the season, took the lead just seven minutes into the game, much to the surprise of the home crowd and City supporters alike.
Nelson Semedo delivered a perfect cross into the box, which found Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Wolves striker kept his composure and slotted the ball past Ederson, putting the hosts 1-0 ahead. It was a dream start for Wolves, who were hoping to turn their poor home form around.
Despite being behind, Manchester City continued to dominate possession, as is their usual style, with Jeremy Doku and Ilkay Gundogan pulling the strings in midfield. However, Wolves were defensively solid, keeping City at bay and frustrating their attackers.
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Manchester City’s pressure eventually paid off in the 33rd minute when Josko Gvardiol equalized with a stunning goal from outside the box. The Croatian defender, not known for his goal-scoring, picked up the ball after a pass from Doku and unleashed a curling effort into the top right corner. Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa had no chance, and City were back in the game at 1-1.
This goal lifted Manchester City’s spirits as they pushed for a second, but Wolves remained disciplined, defending in numbers and looking dangerous on the counter-attack. The first half ended with the scoreline locked at 1-1, and Wolves could count themselves lucky not to have conceded again, thanks to a string of fine saves from Sa.
Wolves Hold Firm in the Second Half
The second half saw Manchester City continue to dominate possession, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized Wolves defense. Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Strand Larsen offered a threat on the break, but their efforts were mostly limited to long-range shots.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola introduced Phil Foden and Matheus Nunes as substitutes in the 66th minute to inject more creativity and energy into the side. However, Wolves remained compact, frustrating the visitors with their solid defensive structure.
Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa was having a fantastic game, making crucial saves to deny City on several occasions. Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva both had shots on target, but Sa stood tall, keeping his team in the contest.
Stones’ Last-Minute Heroics
As the clock ticked towards full-time, Manchester City continued to press forward in search of a winner. Their persistence paid off in the 90th minute when John Stones rose highest to meet a corner from Foden. Stones’ powerful header was too much for Sa to handle, and the ball flew into the back of the net, sparking wild celebrations from the City players and fans.
There was a brief moment of uncertainty as the goal was checked by VAR for a potential offside, with Silva standing close to Wolves’ goalkeeper Sa. However, the review concluded that Silva was not obstructing the goalkeeper’s view, and the goal was given, securing a crucial 2-1 victory for City.
Wolves’ Efforts in Vain
Wolves, who had put in a valiant defensive effort, were left devastated by the late goal. Despite leading early and holding Manchester City at 1-1 for much of the game, they couldn’t hold out in the final moments. Manager Gary O’Neil will undoubtedly be disappointed by the result, but Wolves can take some pride from their disciplined and determined performance against one of the best teams in the league.
City’s Title Race Boost
For Manchester City, this late win could prove vital in their Premier League title race. With fellow title challengers Arsenal losing to Bournemouth earlier in the day, City’s victory moves them closer to the top of the table, keeping the pressure on league leaders Liverpool. City’s ability to grind out wins, even when they aren’t at their best, shows the mentality and quality required to challenge for the Premier League title.
