Just when it looked like Manchester City might settle for a draw, John Stones emerged as the unlikely hero.
With stoppage time winding down, the England defender rose above Craig Dawson, powering a header into the net.
Initial celebrations were quickly muted, though, as the goal was ruled out for offside, with Bernardo Silva deemed to be interfering from an offside position in front of goalkeeper José Sá.
Fortunately for City, referee Chris Kavanagh took a moment to review the play at the monitor and reversed his decision, allowing the goal to stand.
Pep Guardiola couldn’t contain his joy, while Wolves’ Gary O’Neil was left in disbelief. Earlier in the summer, Wolves had pushed back against VAR’s influence in matches, and this decision likely won’t change their minds.
The Premier League later confirmed that Silva hadn’t interfered with play.
Wolves’ Frustration Continues
This scenario mirrors last season’s troubles for Wolves, who saw a similar goal disallowed when Max Kilman, now with West Ham, was involved.
As the match wrapped up, Wolves players surrounded Kavanagh, visibly upset, while their home fans expressed their frustrations at the Premier League’s officiating.
With this victory, City sits two points ahead of Arsenal, while Wolves remain anchored at the bottom of the table with just one point from eight games.
This result feels particularly harsh for O’Neil’s team, who executed their game plan effectively.
Despite their struggles, this performance was a marked improvement from the recent 5-3 defeat against Brentford, which had raised serious questions about the team’s direction.
A Surprising Lead for Wolves
The home side shocked everyone by taking an early lead through Jorgen Strand Larsen.
He benefited from Santiago Bueno’s clever play, which sent Nelson Semedo sprinting down the wing, delivering a cross that every striker dreams of.
Strand Larsen finished from close range, giving Wolves the momentum they needed.
City quickly responded, nearly equalizing when Bernardo Silva’s shot was saved by José Sá, who stepped in for the injured Sam Johnstone.
A subsequent chance came when Ilkay Gundogan’s flick off a cross from Rico Lewis sailed just over the bar.
Although City dominated possession, they were occasionally vulnerable, nearly conceding again when Semedo found space behind the defense but was thwarted by Ederson.
Gvardiol Levels the Match
The tide turned when Josko Gvardiol brought City level with a stunning goal.
Instead of taking on Semedo directly, Jeremy Doku smartly passed it back to Gvardiol, who unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner, beating Sá.
City’s keeper had a few more close calls, with Sá making crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
As the second half kicked off, Wolves made tactical changes, bringing in former City player Tommy Doyle.
City, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm initially, with Erling Haaland misfiring on a couple of opportunities.
Despite their struggles, Wolves were still a threat, with Matheus Cunha making notable runs and forcing Ederson to scramble across his goal.
Tactical Adjustments on Both Sides
As the match progressed, the game became a tactical battle. Joao Gomes received a yellow card for a foul on Mateo Kovacic, and Phil Foden had been anxiously waiting to come on as a substitute.
Finally, he replaced Doku, and almost immediately, Wolves’ Carlos Forbs charged into City’s half but misplayed his cross.
Soon after, Guardiola brought on Jack Grealish for Savinho, and his impact was felt immediately.
Grealish’s cross almost resulted in disaster for Wolves when Sá fumbled inside his six-yard box.
Despite Wolves finding some promising positions, they often squandered their chances.
Ultimately, it was Foden’s precise delivery that set up Stones for the decisive goal, sealing the match and leaving Wolves frustrated once again.
What Lies Ahead?
With the final whistle blown, both teams are left contemplating their next moves.
City celebrates a crucial victory in their title chase, while Wolves must regroup to address their ongoing struggles.
The season is still young, but for Wolves, every point will be vital as they look to climb out of the relegation zone.
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