Defenders helped Manchester City made club history as Josko Gvardiol and John Stones scored to lead a 2-1 comeback win over Wolves at the Molineux.
Man City set a new club record with the win, extending their unbeaten run to 31 games — dating back to Dec. 6, 2023, when they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa.
City go back atop the table at the moment, their 20 points two more than Liverpool before the Reds kickoff versus Chelsea.
Wolves drop back into 20th with the loss, their one point and minus-13 goal differential one goal worse than Southampton.
VAR keeps improving, gets controversial winner correct
It’s a hard-luck, cruel loss for Wolves but none of the harsh vibes should come from the officiating at the end of the game. Bernardo Silva is jockeying with the goalkeeper while the Phil Foden’s corner kick is sent into the mixer, but ducks away by the time John Stones head the ball toward goal. Jose Sa even has time to get back on the line for the kick and — as we’ve all been told — there’s no offside on a corner. The controversy comes from the fact that the goal was ruled offside on the pitch, but this is what they’ve added Video Assistant Referee to govern the game. VAR has had some dicey moments in its Premier League infancy, but does the seem to be getting better and more efficient. That won’t change the minds of purists who want the game to better reflect real life and it’s unfairness, and we get that, but VAR is doing its job increasingly well.
Wolves vs Manchester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Wolves vs Manchester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Wolves vs Manchester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Man City host Sparta Prague on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League before Southampton visit the Etihad Stadium in Premier League play at 10am ET Saturday, the same time Wolves kick off at Brighton.
How to watch Wolves vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (October 20)
Venue: Molineux Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Wolves vs Manchester City final score: 1-2
Jorgen Strand Larsen 8', Josko Gvardiol 34', John Stones 90'+5
Wolves vs Manchester City live updates — By Nick Mendola
VAR.... John Stones goal! Wolves 1-2 Man City (90'+5)
John Stones appears to have headed home a winner in stoppage time, but they’ve called it offside!
Bernardo Silva was offside but clearly trying to get away from the ball and goalkeeper Jose Sa still got a clear sight of the ball and takes two steps back to the goal line after contact with Silva.
It had to be overturned by VAR, and it was. City will emerge with all three points.
City subs
Enter Phil Foden and Jack Grealish for Jeremy Doku and Savinho.
Might Wolves get this point after all? Grealish looks capable of changing this.
His cross to the back post is headed by Bernardo Silva, who is bloodied by the high boot of Foden.
Fifteen minutes plus stoppage to go.
Sub and chance for Wolves
Matheus Cunha exits, Carlos Forbs enters, and it’s nearly an instant chance for Wolves (the first in ages).
But the release pass is at an odd angle and City recovers in time to thwart the threat.
Still 1-1, 69'.
Hour mark. Still square
Wolves threat has shrunk to near zero but City still haven’t broken through.
Tommy Doyle replaced Andre at the break for the hosts. Pep hasn’t made a change for City.
Halftime — Wolves 1-1 Manchester City
Yeah, this can look weird without Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri, can’t it?
But City are still dominating and enter the final 45 minutes even despite absolutely nothing from Erling Haaland, who is not the highest-scoring Norwegian from this game.
City have 79% of the ball and a 10-2 advantage in shot attempts but both of Wolves shots were tremendously dangerous.
Josko Gvardiol goal! Wolves 1-1 Man City (34th minute)
It was coming, and it’s arrived in spectacular fashion.
Jose Sa, to his credit, flies to get a piece of an authoritative strike from the 22-year-old.
Semedo breakaway!
Oh my, this could’ve easily been 2-nil.
Nelson Semedo blazes past the City back line and has a partial breakaway, hampered as he reaches Ederson.
His low shot is not ideal and saved by the City keeper in the 20th minute.
Jose Sa save
City almost immediately answer with a rocket shot but Jose Sa, the star of so many Wolves games prior to his demotion, steps in to make a remarkable save.
Jorgen Strand Larsen goal! Wolves 1-0 Man City (8th minute)
It’s on the counter, of course, but that doesn’t defy its beauty.
Nelson Semedo sweeps a back-line tracing cross past three defenders, and near-post runner Matheus Cunha or the back post’s Jorgen Strand Larsen could’ve scored this one!
Strand Larsen side foots it past Ederson for 1-0, out of nothing!
Wolves lineup
Sa, Semedo, Bueno, Dawson, Toti, Ait-Nouri, J. Gomes, Lemina, Andre, Cunha, Strand Larsen
Manchester City lineup
Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland
Wolves focus, team news
OUT: Yerson Mosquera (calf), Boubacar Traore (knee), Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Bastien Meupiyou (undisclosed), Hee-chan Hwang (ankle)
Manchester City focus, team news
OUT: Rodri (knee - out for season), Oscar Bobb (lower leg), Nathan Ake (thigh), Kevin De Bruyne (groin)
Wolves vs Manchester City prediction
At some point this season, Guardiola might have to resign himself to simply outscoring their opponents every game, just because they can. It’ll be an agonizing experience for him, but that’s what Erling Haaland is there for. Wolves 1-3 Manchester City.
