Just when it looked like Manchester City would lose crucial points in the title race, John Stones came to the rescue.
With injury time almost over, the English defender beat Craig Dawson and headed in the winning goal. For a couple of minutes, City thought it had slipped through their fingers when the goal was reviewed for offside against Bernardo Silva, who was standing in front of goalkeeper José Sa.
After Chris Kavanagh went to check the monitor, he stood by his original decision. Pep Guardiola danced with joy and his counterpart Gary O’Neil couldn’t believe it. In the summer, Wolves failed in their attempt to eliminate VAR. This is unlikely to change your opinion.
Last season, Wolves had a goal disallowed for a similar situation involving their captain Max Kilman, who has since joined West Ham. Wolves players surrounded Kavanagh here at full-time as home fans vented their fury on the Premier League.
This leaves City two points ahead of Arsenal and means Wolves remain rooted to the bottom with one point from eight games. It was extremely hard on O’Neil’s men, who carried out the plan to perfection.
John Stones celebrates scoring Man City’s injury-time winning goal to rescue a 2-1 win
Stones jumped highest in a crowded Wolves penalty area to direct a powerful header towards goal.
Referee Chris Kavanagh (pictured) checked the goal for a possible offside before going ahead with his original decision.
Although Wolves are in serious trouble, this was much better than the 5-3 defeat at Brentford two weeks ago, which had raised questions about O’Neil and his team.
The home team even took a surprising early lead thanks to Jorgen Strand Larsen, but were stopped by a stunning goal from Josko Gvardiol and then Stones decided the match in the end.
Sooner or later, every modern Wolves coach seeks the comfort of a three-man defense, and so it was for O’Neil here. Given the threat of City wingers Savinho and Jeremy Doku, the three defenders were often five or even seven defenders.
Full-backs Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri joined their centre-backs and were supported by the midfield pairing of Mario Lemina and Andre.
For six minutes, everything was sinister. Molineux were subdued and South Bank almost seemed to be waiting for City to score so they could unleash their frustration on O’Neil and the Wolves board.
However, suddenly, the wolves were ahead. Santiago Bueno sent Semedo racing into space behind City’s high line and the cross was what center forwards dream of. Strand Larsen did the rest and from close range.
The city almost responded instantly. Savinho sent a pass to Ilkay Gundogan, whose first shot was deflected into the corner by Bernardo Silva. Somehow, José Sa, replacing the injured Sam Johnstone, fell to his right and snatched the ball.
Gundogan then headed in a Rico Lewis cross and Toti Gomes was booked for dragging Savinho. City were dominant but vulnerable, and should have conceded a second just before the 20 minute mark.
Matheus Cunha made a one-two with Strand Larsen in the Wolves half and released Semedo, who was away from Gvardiol. Delaying his shot by a fraction of a second, Semedo’s shot was smothered by Ederson and City were relieved when the ball deflected off Gvardiol.
It would be expensive. Toti had already made a strange clearance after a Silva cross when Gvardiol equalized City. Instead of taking on Semedo, Jeremy Doku played it back to Gvardiol and moments later the ball was in the top corner. Although Sa reached the ball, he could not prevent it.
Sa needed a lucky rebound off Andre to stop Gvardiol’s run for a second and then the Portuguese goalkeeper made another magnificent save in added time. It was similar to the one Silva denied, but arguably even better, as Savinho’s fierce shot flew into the crowd and Sa could not have noticed until late.
With former City player Tommy Doyle replacing Andre in midfield during the second half, Wolves prepared for another 45 minutes of work. Luckily, Erling Haaland was not yet in rhythm. City’s goal machine missed Savinho’s cross at the far post and then made a simple pass into touch.
Trying to follow Gvardiol’s lead, Ruben Dias scored from 25 yards and became the latest City player frustrated by Sa’s reflexes. Strand Larsen struggled to retain the ball, but Cunha was much more successful in darting into space and running towards his opponents. A low shot from 25 yards sent Ederson across his goal and seconds later Toti did brilliantly to prevent Haaland from reaching Savinho’s cross.
Joao Gomes received a disputed booking for fighting with Mateo Kovacic when City took forever for a free kick from the edge of the area. By then, Phil Foden had already been in the technical area for more than five minutes, ready to enter but waiting for instructions to do so.
Foden eventually replaced Doku and seconds after he did, Wolves substitute Carlos Forbs, another former City player, charged into City territory only to deflect his cross as Strand Larsen waited. At the other end, Savinho shot from an attractive spot 15 meters out.
Now Guardiola introduced Jack Grealish for Savinho and he quickly got involved, rising to the far post where Silva was hit in the face trying to make decisive contact. Silva was cleared to continue and had a lively chat with Guardiola on the touchline before returning to action.
After Grealish and Foden combined, Sa almost fell inside his six-yard box. The Wolves were still able to find promising positions, but too often they wasted the final pass. City made the one that mattered count as Foden’s delivery was converted by Stones, much to the disappointment and fury of Wolves.