2024-10-20 22:10:08
Manchester City were rescued by John Stones whose late winner secured a 2-1 win on their travels to Wolves in the Premier League.
City dominated possession and looked to push the struggling Midlands side deep into their own half. From the start, Pep Guardiola’s team looked to take control, but they were hit on the break and surprisingly went behind in the seventh minute.
Huge Bueno switched the ball out to the right wing where Nelson Semedo brought it under control and swept up the pitch. He curled a lovely pass into the far side of the box and Jorgen Strand Larson was waiting for a tap-in.
Wolves then looked to dig in and limit the space for City’s free flowing forwards. They were limited to shots from range despite 218 touches in Wolves final third in the first half alone. One of those shots got through, Josko Gvardiol getting forward and lacing a curling right foot finish into the far top corner.
City threw attacking wave after attacking wave at the Wolves defence, boosted by second half substitutes Phil Foden and Jack Grealish but there was no way through until Stones met Foden’s corner kick and nodded home to win the defending champions all three points.
Relive updates from the Premier League clash below as Wolves host Man City:
Wolves vs Man City
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REPORT: John Stones strikes late as Man City beat Wolves with controversial goal
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90+5’ GOAL! John Stones scores late header (WOL 1-2 MCI)
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53’ SAVE! Sa turns Dias’ long-range effort wide (WOL 1-1 MCI)
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45+2’ SAVE! Sa drops low to deny Savinho (WOL 1-1 MCI)
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33’ GOAL! Gvardiol smokes in the equaliser (WOL 1-1 MCI)
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9’ CHANCE! Silva forces a great save from Sa (WOL 1-0 MCI)
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7’ GOAL! Wolves strike first through Strand Larsen (WOL 1-0 MCI)
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6’ CHANCE! Doku cuts in from the left and blazes one over the top (WOL 0-0 MCI)
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 1 – 2 Manchester City FC
John Stones strikes late as Man City beat Wolves with controversial goal
16:34 , Mike Jones
John Stones scored a last-gasp header, which was subject to a dramatic VAR call, to earn Manchester City a 2-1 win at Wolves.
City looked like failing to capitalise on Arsenal’s slip-up at Bournemouth as they were being held after Jorgen Strand Larsen’s early opener for the dogged hosts was cancelled out by Josko Gvardiol.
But Stones climbed highest in the fourth minute of added time to power home Phil Foden’s corner and spark wild scenes of celebration.
They were cut short after Bernardo Silva was eventually flagged for offside as he stood in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa, much to the delight of the Molineux crowd. However, after referee Chris Kavanagh checked the pitchside monitor he ruled that a backtracking Silva was not interfering with play and the goal stood.
John Stones strikes late as Man City beat Wolves with controversial goal
Bernardo Silva ‘impacted’ Jose Sa – Pundits react to controversial late Man City goal in win over Wolves
16:36 , Mike Jones
John Stones again proved the late hero for Manchester City on Sunday, scoring a last-minute winner in the Premier League to sink a resilient Wolves side, just weeks after notching late on to salvage a draw against Arsenal.
This time, though, there was rather more controversy over City’s late strike to take the three points, as Bernardo Silva was flagged offside for standing in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa as Stones send his header into the net.
A VAR review then advised referee Chris Kavanagh to check the pitchside monitor to see if the Portuguese was interfering with play or impeding the goalkeeper, to which he was adjudged to not be doing – allowing the goal to stand, much to an incensed Wolves bench’s fury.
Pundits react to controversial late Man City goal in win over Wolves
FT: Wolves 1-2 Man City
16:24 , Chris Wilson
Pep Guardiola is next to speak to Sky, and he praises the “aggressive, strong” performance from Wolves.
“We are not a team who scores a lot from set pieces, but the commitment was there and the performance was outstanding,” he said.
“We played really good, the impact of the players who came on was unbelievable. To win that way feels good,” he adds.
“11 players in the eighteen-yard box is difficult. For the way they play, they have moments where they play really good, but really pleased.
“We have been in the position that they’re in, where you lose at the end. They had a gameplan, they did it really well, and in the end we were lucky.
“But I’m really pleased that we played the way we want to play.”
Liverpool vs Chelsea LIVE
16:20 , Chris Wilson
Another massive game at the top of the table this afternoon, and it kicks off in 10 minutes.
Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield, and you can follow all the action with our dedicated live blog – just click on the link below!
Liverpool host Chelsea in crunch Premier League clash – follow live
FT: Wolves 1-2 Man City
16:14 , Chris Wilson
That result puts City top of the table, though Liverpool could overtake them if they beat Chelsea later today. City sit top on 20 points, with Liverpool second on 18.
Wolves sit rock-bottom of the league with just one point from eight games.
Stones speaks to Sky
16:09 , Chris Wilson
Match-winner John Stones is the first player to speak to Sky after that late drama.
“It was a tough game,” he says.
“These moment don’t come often for us. Credit to wolves, how they stopped us from creating chances, and made it difficult for us.
“We had to be on our best, at the back especially. [We’re] really pleased to win it in that fashion,” he adds.
“They did it last season, we came here and didn’t get the result. They made it really difficult, it wasn’t how they usually play.
“Their points this season don’t reflect how they’re playing. Credit to them, and credit to us for believing.
“[But] it’s so nice to celebrate ike that, especially in the last minutes of the game. Really pleased to help the team, and we pushed right to the end today.”
FULL-TIME! Wolves 1-2 Man City
16:05 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Wolves 1-2 Man City
16:01 , Chris Wilson
Plenty of discussion around the goal straight away on Sky!
As the corner was taken, Silva was backing in to Sa, preventing him from coming out to try and punch the ball.
However, as the ball was headed by Stones, Silva had backed away from Sa, and was no longer in his line of vision.
This one will provoke some real discussion.
FULL-TIME! Wolves 1-2 Man City
15:58 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME!
The referee blows the final whistle and City take a potentially controversial three points!
The away side certainly deserved it on the whole, but it was a valiant effort from Wolves to hold out for so long.
Wolves 1-2 Man City
15:57 , Chris Wilson
98 mins
Is there time for more drama? Probably not, but we’ll see.
GOAL GIVEN! Wolves 1-2 Man City
15:56 , Chris Wilson
97 mins
The referee is sent to the VAR review screen, but he gives it! The goal is allowed!
2-1, and there can’t be long left in this one.
Wolves 1-2 Man City
15:54 , Chris Wilson
95 mins
There is a VAR check for the goal as Silva was in an offside position. Sa looks to have a clear, unobstructed view though. This would be harsh to rule it out.
GOAL! Wolves 1-2 Man City
15:54 , Chris Wilson
95 mins
GOAL! And City win it late on!
There’s a succession of City corners and Foden delivers their 18th of the match.
It’s a perfect delivery and John Stones is there to power a header past Sa with perhaps the final kick of the game!
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:52 , Chris Wilson
94 mins
Wolves fans want a free-kick in a dangerous area as Guedes is taken down by Nunes, but he won the ball fairly.
City counter and it ends with Nunes firing a shot towards goal that goes over – it took a deflection though, and there’ll be a City corner.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:51 , Chris Wilson
92 mins
Plenty of nerves around the Molineux, for both sides. City have the ball, as you’d expect.
There’s plenty of passing around the edge of the Wolves box. Grealish threads another great ball to an overlapping runner, but Dias’ cross is cut out by a brilliant sliding tackle.
From the corner, Grealish floats in a cross that is collected by Jose Sa.
15:48 , Chris Wilson
90 mins
No respite for Wolves as City work the ball on the left, but the chance ends with Silva rifling an effort against the side-netting.
There’ll be five minutes of added time at the Molineux, as Joao Gomes comes off for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:47 , Chris Wilson
89 mins
Grealish gets the better of Semedo once more and clips in a cross to the back post, which is turned behind for a corner. Foden takes and there’s some pinball in the box before it bounces out to Grealish, but the winger can only power a shot straight at Sa.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:45 , Chris Wilson
87 mins
City bring on Matheus Nunes for Kovacic, and the former Wolves man is given plenty of boos and expletives as he takes to the field against his former club.
Grealish slips a pass to Foden, who’s made a great overlapping run, but the Englishman’s cutback is deflected into the gloves of Sa.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:43 , Chris Wilson
85 mins
Wolves do win it back and they have a chance to attack, but they actually slow down the play. A bold tactic with 10 minutes left.
Semedo threads it to Gomes but his cross is a tired one and it’s out of play.
City attack and it looks dangerous as Haaland collects on the edge of the box, but Dawson pounces and makes the tackle, to the delight of the home fans.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:41 , Chris Wilson
83 mins
Grealish’s ball forwards is cut out but Semedo overhits the pass and City will come again. Wolves look tired now.
Grealish feeds the ball into the path of the overlapping runner, but the cutback is cleared before a second Grealish shot ends with Foden rifling a shot against a body in the box. It looks like Rico Lewis might have blocked a goal-bound effort!
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:40 , Chris Wilson
81 mins
Around 10 minutes of normal time left, plus what you’d expect to be a good chunk of added time. City are still dominant, but they’ve just lacked the final touch so far this half, as Wolves clear once again for a throw.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:37 , Chris Wilson
79 mins
Some good work from Grealish as he makes space for the cross and hangs another one to the back post, but there’s nobody on the end of it.
Gvradiol angles in another cross but the offside is given against Gundogan.
Wolves bring on Gonçalo Guedes for Strand Larsen.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:36 , Chris Wilson
77 mins
Silva eventually makes his way back onto the pitch and we’re back underway.
City keep working it but it’s the wrong players in the wrong positions, with Dias unable to find space for the cross from the left-hand edge of the box.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:33 , Chris Wilson
75 mins
Grealish’s first involvement sees him hang up a cross to the back post, but Sa collects.
Silva is down at the moment with a cut to the head after he collided with Foden’s boot while trying to get onto the end of the cross.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:32 , Chris Wilson
73 mins
Savinho cross is cut out and Forbs leads the Wolves counter, before playing it back to Ait-Nouri. They’re forced long again but they win the ball this time, and they have some sustained possession for the first time in a while, but Forbs is eventually flagged offside. No way through for the home side.
Savinho comes off for Jack Grealish.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:29 , Chris Wilson
70 mins
City continue to pressure but their latest attack is cut out by Lemina. Wolves will be delighted by how this is going, though 20-plus minutes is a long time to hold out like this.
Silva weaves his way into the box before putting in a cross that finds its way to Savinho, but the Brazilian can only hook his effort over the bar with his weaker foot.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:26 , Chris Wilson
68 mins
Great play from the home side as Doyle leads the break forward and slides the through ball into the path of Forbs. He takes a couple of touches before mishitting a shot that almost runs into the path of Strand Larsen, but goes out for a goal kick.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:25 , Chris Wilson
67 mins
Strand Larsen is having to press on his own at the moment, and there are some tired-looking Wolves legs out there. Foden is still waiting to come on too!
Ait-Nouri does brilliantly to slide in on Doku, win the ball and then win a throw after knocking the ball off the Belgian.
Doku is then replaced by Phil Foden, while Wolves bring on Carlos Forbs for Cunha.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:23 , Chris Wilson
65 mins
Nothing comes from the corner and Sa launches another ball long, but City win it back immediately.
Doku drives towards the box and squares it to gundogan, but the shot takes a deflection off Dawson and rolls to Sa.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:21 , Chris Wilson
63 mins
Kovacic is scythed down right on the edge of the penalty area by Lemina. It’s arguably a bit soft, but it’ll present a great chance for the away side.
Savinho, Silva and Gundogan are all standing over the ball. There’s a long delay though as the referee needs to reset the wall, and then books Gomes for wrestling with his man.
Savinho lays it off to Gundogan and it comes off the wall for a corner.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:18 , Chris Wilson
60 mins
Close to a chance as Savinho’s cross almost bounces to Gvardiol four yards out, but Sa collects.
Wolves are once again struggling to get out of their half, thought not as much as in the first 45.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:17 , Chris Wilson
59 mins
The City pressure hasn’t quite been as suffocating so far in this half, though City come again as Foden gets ready to come on.
Savinho’s cross is deflected behind off Semedo.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:15 , Chris Wilson
57 mins
Wolves have their second foray forward in as many minutes, but Gvardiol does well to cut it out.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:15 , Chris Wilson
56 mins
Guardiola is cutting an exasperated figure on the touchline as he makes his way back to his seat. For all City’s dominance, they haven’t been able to carve any real clear-cut chances in the Wolves box.
Gomes is penalised for bundling over Gundogan, and City have possession on the edge of the box, but Ait-Nouri wins it back before carrying into the City half. He lays it off to Cunha, who goes for the effort from distance, but it flies wide of the far post.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:12 , Chris Wilson
54 mins
Brilliant work from Gomes to win the ball on the edge of his area, but Wolves can’t mount a counter as Semedo misses the chance for the pass.
City attack and Gvardiol lays it off to Dias, who has a pop from around 20 yards out, forcing another good save – this one low to his left – from Sa.
From the corner, Doku cuts in and fires off-target.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:10 , Chris Wilson
51 mins
Gvardiol makes another surge into the Wolves box but Doyle is there to head the cross behind this time.
Gundogan takes this corner, and Bueno heads it away. Kovacic picks it up and tries to deliver a cross to the back post, but it goes out for a goal kick.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:08 , Chris Wilson
49 mins
Savinho skips past Semedo and fizzes a cross into Haaland, but the Norwegian can’t get clean contact and it comes off his heel.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:07 , Chris Wilson
48 mins
A stat flashes up for ‘successful passes completed in the final third’. City have 218, Wolves have…five. They won’t care if it stays like this though.
The away side attack again, with Doku shaking off a challenge before winning a throw. The Belgian has switched wings with Savinho for the moment.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:05 , Chris Wilson
46 mins
City win an early corner and Savinho delivers, but Dawson heads clear before Silva is flagged for offside.
KICK-OFF! Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:04 , Chris Wilson
KICK-OFF!
Wolves make a change at half-time as Andre comes off for Tommy Doyle.
We’re back underway at the Molineux.
HALF-TIME! Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:03 , Chris Wilson
The two teams are coming back out of the tunnel, so the second half is only moments away.
HALF-TIME! Wolves 1-1 Man City
15:01 , Chris Wilson
As expected, City have dominated much of this game, though the fact that they went behind early on was far from expected.
A brilliant counter-attacking goal from the home side forced City to take control of the half, and they have done just that, though their equaliser came from a spectacular effort from Josko Gvardiol. On the whole, their attacking play has just missed that one final touch when they get into the box.
Wolves have struggled since their goal, perhaps as expected, though they did fashion one more brilliant chance that Semedo was unable to convert.
Most people will only see this second half going one way, but can Wolves spring another surprise?
HALF-TIME! Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:55 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:49 , Chris Wilson
The referee blows the half-time whistle, and the two sides head into the break level at 1-1!
An entertaining match for the neutral, though you do get the feeling that Wolves can’t go on like this much longer.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:49 , Chris Wilson
46 mins
SAVE!
Santi Bueno’s clearing header briefly gets Wolves out of trouble, though City come again.
Silva lays it back to Savinho on the edge of the box. His low, powerful shot makes it through a sea of Wolves shirts but Sa once again gets down brilliantly to force it behind.
Nothing comes from the corner.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:46 , Chris Wilson
45 mins
Wolves briefly have a bit of possession but they can’t mount an attack.
City’s first attempt to create something fails, and they build from the back with Dias. It’s played wide to Doku, who wins a corner after his cross deflects off Semedo.
There’ll be two minutes of added time as Gundogan lines up the set-piece.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:44 , Chris Wilson
43 mins
Gundogan almost slips through a great pass to Gvardiol, but a combination of Wolves defenders gets it clear. Savinho swings in a cross but it’s too easy for Sa to collect.
Wolves need the half-time whistle here, and Sa does his best to run down the clock a bit.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:42 , Chris Wilson
41 mins
Almost perfect play from City as Savinho feeds the overlapping runner and it’s flicked back to Lewis, but he just can’t get the shot away.
Wolves counter, led by Ait-Nouri down the left, but his cross towards Strand Larsen is cut out.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:41 , Chris Wilson
39 mins
Just what the home side needed as Cunha skips past a challenge and tries to launch a counter only to be knocked over by Savinho.
The City man is booked for the challenge.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:40 , Chris Wilson
38 mins
Lewis does well to evade a couple of challenges near his box and City break, with Gvardiol trying to latch onto Doku’s through ball into the box, but the Croatian can’t quite cut it back to Silva and Jose Sa collects.
City win it back quickly and are back on the edge of the Wolves box, but the attack breaks down as Kovacic’s effort from range only goes as far as a Wolves body.
Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:37 , Chris Wilson
36 mins
City’s relentless pressure continues, though Haaland narrowly misses latching onto a through ball this time.
GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Man City
14:35 , Chris Wilson
33 mins
GOAL! City are level, and it’s brillaint from Gvardiol.
It looks so simple too, as the Croatian exchanges a couple of passes with Doku before receiving it on the edge of the box. He cuts inside and opens his body up, curling an effort past a diving Sa and into the far corner!
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:33 , Chris Wilson
32 mins
City are really knocking at the door now. Doku slips it to the overlapping Kovacic, whose cutback is put behind for a corner.
Gundogan swings it in, but the whistle is blown for a foul on Sa.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:31 , Chris Wilson
30 mins
Gvardiol works the chance and feeds in Doku, who finds space to fizz a ball across goal, but for once Haaland is not there to capitalise and Wolves clear.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:29 , Chris Wilson
29 mins
Brilliant from both sides as City work it though to Gundogan on the overlap in the box, but Toti does well to get across and head away the German’s cross.
Wolves manage to clear but City are winning it back almost instantly every time. The pressure is building!
14:28 , Chris Wilson
27 mins
Gomes is perhaps lucky to escape a yellow as he makes two fouls in about 10 seconds. The second gives City a free-kick in a dangerous area to the left of the penalty box.
Gundogan swings it in and it bounces across to Savinho, who fails to make contact with the volley.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:26 , Chris Wilson
25 mins
Brilliant work from Joao Gomes as he wins the ball off Doku in his own box and then wins a foul off the Belgian. A brief respite for the home side, as Sa launches it forward.
City win it straight back, unsurprisingly.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:25 , Chris Wilson
24 mins
So far so good for Wolves, and they’ve had the two best chances, but City are beginning to threaten.
Doku skips past two defenders and cuts it back into the path of Gundogan, but Dawson is there to clear for a corner.
From the ball in, Wolves head away and City are forced to build again.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:23 , Chris Wilson
22 mins
Gvardiol clips in a very dangerous ball towards the back post but it narrowly misses both Haaland and Gundogan.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:22 , Chris Wilson
21 mins
Semedo is quickly booked moments after that chance, as he drags back Savinho on the counter.
City attack again, but Ait-Nouri gets the better of Savinho this time.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:21 , Chris Wilson
19 mins
Lovely play from Lewis to pick out Gundogan in the box, but Lemina is there to cut it out.
Wolves break quickly, and Gomes skips past a challenge before feeding it to Larsen. He plays it back to Gomes, who releases Semedo with a through ball and the Portuguese is clean through!
He’s under pressure from Gvardiol as he surges into the box, and he scuffs his attempt and has to settle for a corner.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:19 , Chris Wilson
17 mins
City look to carve a chance but they’re penalised for handball in the Wolves box. That’s followed by Wolves’ first bit if sustained possession since the goal, but they quickly give it away to Ederson.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:17 , Chris Wilson
15 mins
Two City players are lining up for the free-kick, with Dias and Stones discussing a tactic. It’s Savinho to take, but he hits the wall. From the rebound, Doku can’t create the space to get a shot through.
City with possession near the Wolves box again.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:15 , Chris Wilson
14 mins
Toti is played into plenty of trouble on the edge of his own box and he’s dispossessed by Savinho, with the Brazilian winning a free-kick as the Wolves man was forced to drag him down.
Toti is booked too.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:13 , Chris Wilson
11 mins
Savinho’s dinked ball in briefly looks dangerous but it’s eventually cleared. Strand Larsen is down and receiving treatment, but he’ll be okay to carry on.
Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:11 , Chris Wilson
9 mins
CHANCE! A brilliant save from Sa.
The pass is fizzed in to Gundogan and he flicks it on to Bernardo in the box. His effort is a good one, forcing Sa to stretch low to his right to get a strong hand to it.
Plenty of noise at the Molineux now.
GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Man City
14:09 , Chris Wilson
7 mins
GOAL! Out of nowhere for the home side!
City are pressing Wolves high but Ait-Nouri manages to escape the challenge in his own half. Wolves work it to the opposite wing and Semedo drives towards the box before playing an early cross.
It’s right in the corridor between the ‘keeper and defenders and it goes all the way across to Strand Larsen, who bundles it in!
Wolves 0-0 Man City
14:07 , Chris Wilson
6 mins
CHANCE!
More sustained possession from City and it ends with Doku exchanging passes with Gundogan to make some space in the box, before the Belgian blazes a shot over the bar.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
14:06 , Chris Wilson
6 mins
Semedo eventually clears the corner, though City have the ball again straight away. Plenty of patient build-up, with Lewis stepping into midfield.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
14:05 , Chris Wilson
4 mins
Savinho beats Ait-Nouri too easily down the right but his cross is cleared. City come again and Doku feeds in Haaland, though the Norwegian is forced to go backwards before Savinho then wins a corner.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
14:04 , Chris Wilson
3 mins
Better from both sides as they each string a few passes together. Wolves try to break forward but Gvardiol is equal to Semedo in the foot race.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
14:02 , Chris Wilson
1 min
End-to-end at the beginning, though not in term of attacking. Both sides have lumped the ball up the field a couple of times each as they look to settle.
KICK-OFF! Wolves 0-0 Man City
14:01 , Chris Wilson
KICK-OFF!
The home side get us underway in the Midlands.
Wolves vs Man City
13:58 , Chris Wilson
The two sides have emerged from the tunnel at the Molineux, so we’re moments from kick-off.
How to watch Wolves v Man City
13:53 , Chris Wilson
A reminder that this afternoon’s match will be live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage started at 1pm BST.
Subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Sky Go app.
Wolves vs Man City LIVE
13:50 , Chris Wilson
How the league table looks
13:45 , Chris Wilson
There wasn’t a lot of movement at the very top of the Premier League yesterday, with Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Bournemouth meaning they missed a chance to go top of the table. They remain in third, on 17 points, level with City and one point behind Liverpool, who play Chelsea later today. Both sides have a game in hand over the Gunners though.
Villa’s win over Fulham moved them into fourth, level on points with Arsenal, while Brighton’s 1-0 win away at Newcastle moved them into fifth, on 15 points.
Chelsea sit in sixth ahead of their game against Liverpool, having won 14 points from seven games. Spurs’ win yesterday took them into seventh, on 13 points, while Newcastle sit a place behind on 12 points.
Manchester United eased some of the pressure on Erik ten Hag with a 2-1 win over Brentford, though they still sit 11th after eight games played, with just 11 points.
Match facts
13:40 , Chris Wilson
Manchester City have won seven of their last eight Premier League meetings with Wolves, scoring 25 goals across these games.
City are unbeaten in 30 Premier League games, winning 24 and drawing six. This is the joint-longest run in their league history (also 30 from April 2017 to January 2018). In English top-flight history, there have only been six occasions when a side has gone more than 30 matches without losing, the most recent being Liverpool’s run of 44 games from January 2019 to February 2020.
City have fallen behind in four of their last six Premier League games, although they have recovered a league-high 10 points from losing positions in the competition this term. They have won nine of the last 11 league games in which they have trailed (D2)
Erling Haaland has scored eight goals in four Premier League appearances against Wolves – he averages a goal once every 40 minutes against them. However, only one of these eight goals has come at Molineux.
Match facts
13:32 , Chris Wilson
Wolves won this fixture 2-1 last season, though they haven’t won consecutive home league meetings with Manchester City since a run of three between 1982 and 1996.
Wolves have so far failed to win any of their opening seven games of a league season for the first time since 2004/05, when the club was in the Championship. Only in three previous campaigns have they had a longer winless run from the start of a league season: 1922/23 (8), 1926/27 (10), and 1983/84 (14).
Wolves are the only side to lose all of their home games in the Premier League this season. Never before in their league history have they lost their opening four home games of a campaign.
Matheus Cunha has lost each of the last four Premier League games in which he has scored, including all three this season.
What the managers are saying
13:25 , Chris Wilson
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil says that he has “100 per cent faith in myself and the playing group to show everyone we can compete at the level”.
“[i’m] really confident and really comfortable I can help the group in this moment and turn things around,” he added.
“We sit here seven games in with one point. If you don’t look into the depths of how and why it looks like a disaster.
“But, if you do take the time to look into the situation and the fixtures you will easily see there is enough there to have a real clear view we can turn this around.”
“The Brentford game was a shock. If we’re not at it, it’s not just the top teams that will beat you. It can’t happen. We conceded some goals that were almost unexplainable.”
On the challenge facing his side today, he said: “The key [last season] was discipline, counter-attacking and fight. It’s a tough game I’m looking forward to. We have to perform in a way to unite the fans.”
What the managers have said
13:20 , Chris Wilson
Ahead of the game, Guardiola insisted that “Wolves is my priority, and my players – how they come back from the international teams”.
“That is my only concern.
He added that “it is always tough” against Wolves –“they’ve got less points than they deserve”.
On his future, he added: “I said many times I didn’t take a decision already and when I take it, I will inform you 100 per cent.
“That’s why there is no news, and I don’t have to add anything else.”
The Catalan went on to say that “still I like coming here every morning to work, I love it”.
“Thinking about Wolves, and what are the messages that I have to tell them, the images I have to see, the training sessions I have to prepare – still I like it. And this is the main reason that I’m a manager.
“When I don’t feel this, it’s not just leaving Man City, I would not be a manager, I would not train, that’s for sure!”
Guardiola’s future
13:15 , Chris Wilson
With the announcement of Begiristain’s departure, perhaps the most intriguing question surrounds the future of Guardiola himself.
The Spaniard was teammates with Begiristain at club level and worked with the former Barcelona winger during his time managing the Catalan club, with Begiristain influential in appointing Guardiola as Barca manager in 2008.
Begiristain later joined City as director of football and played a key part in bringing Guardiola to the club in 2016.
With Guardiola out of contract at the end of the summer, questions remain over his immediate future. Varuious reports have suggested that he could leave the club at the end of the season, though others suggest that Guardiola could be tempted to stay – perhaps out of defiance – depending on the outcome of the case against City’s 115 charges.
Guardiola’s eight seasons in charge of City is far longer than any of his other managerial tenures, having been at Barca between 2008 and 2012, and Bayern Munich between 2013 and 2016.
Pep Guardiola: Part of me will leave Man City when Txiki Begiristain goes
13:10 , Chris Wilson
Pep Guardiola admits part of him will leave Manchester City next summer with the departure of sporting director Txiki Begiristain.
But the City manager maintains he has not made a decision about his own future, even though he admits an interest in international football.
Guardiola, winner of six Premier League titles and the Champions League in his eight years at the Etihad Stadium, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Pep Guardiola: Part of me will leave Man City when Txiki Begiristain goes
I’m an emotional man: Pep Guardiola embarrassed by his touchline reactions
13:05 , Chris Wilson
Pep Guardiola insists he is as passionate about football as ever – so much so he is sometimes embarrassed by his own touchline antics.
Manchester City’s inspirational boss often cuts a frenetic figure in the technical area, which he says comes from his emotional involvement in games and the club.
Despite recurring speculation over whether this might be his last season at the Etihad Stadium, he insists he has lost none of his drive and determination to succeed.
I’m an emotional man: Pep Guardiola embarrassed by his touchline reactions
Team news
13:00 , Chris Wilson
Pep Guardiola has made three changes to the side that beat Fulham 3-2 last time out.
In defence, Manuel Akanji drops out for John Stones. In midfield, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are replaced by Jeremy Doku – who scored against Fulham – and summer signing Savinho.
Team news
12:55 , Chris Wilson
Wolves have made two changes to the side that lost 5-3 to Brentford before the international break.
In goal, Jose Sa replaces Sam Johnstone, while in defence, Santiago Bueno comes in and Carlos Forbs drops to the bench as Wolves move to a back five.
Line-ups
12:48 , Chris Wilson
Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Bueno, Dawson, Toti, Ait-Nouri; Gomes, Lemina, Andre, Cunha, Strand Larsen.
Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Gomes, Doyle, Sarabia, Forbs, Bellegarde, Guedes, Lima.
City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Grealish, Akanji, Nunes, Foden, O’Reilly, McAtee
Today’s City squad! 📋
XI | Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Grealish, Akanji, Nunes, Foden, O’Reilly, McAtee#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/ZpSz4jf3zO
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 20, 2024
Team news
12:40 , Chris Wilson
A reminder of the early team news for today. The line-ups should be announced in around five minutes…
Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan misses out after injuring his ankle playing for South Korea joining Enso Gonzalez, Sasa Kalajdzic, Yerson Mosquera and Boubacar Traore on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are definitely without Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Oscar Bobb with the latter two long-term absentees.
Nathan Ake remains a doubt.
Pep Guardiola says he would advise on Man City successor when he eventually leaves the club
12:35 , Mike Jones
Pep Guardiola would be prepared to advise Manchester City when the club begin their search for his successor. City’s serial-winning manager is in the final year of his contract and speculation over his future is rife.
The Catalan insists he is yet to make a decision on whether or not he will extend his stay into a 10th season at the Etihad Stadium.
Yet when the time comes to depart, he would be willing to offer the club his thoughts on the person to take over, although he would not expect to help.
Pep Guardiola says he would advise on Man City successor
Head-to-head
12:30 , Chris Wilson
The two sides have met a total of 130 times, with the first meeting dating back to 1899.
Overall, City have won 55, Wolves have won 50, and 25 matches have ended as draws.
Last season, Wolves won 2-1 at the Molineux before suffering a 5-1 defeat at the Etihad in early May.
Arsenal faced ‘impossible task’ down to 10 men at Bournemouth, claims Mikel Arteta
12:25 , Chris Wilson
It’s still early days in the Premier League, but here’s the report on a potentially pivotal evening on the south coast yesterday…
Mikel Arteta lamented the “impossible task” faced by Arsenal following William Saliba’s red card as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth to miss the chance to go top of the Premier League.
The defender was dismissed after 30 minutes following a VAR review for hauling down striker Evanilson near the halfway line and denying him a clear run on goal.
It set the stage for a first league loss this season for Arteta’s side who conceded a second-half rocket to Ryan Christie before Justin Kluivert’s late penalty, though the story could have been different had Gabriel Martinelli not fired a golden chance straight at goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga moments before the Scot’s opener.
Arsenal faced ‘impossible task’ down to 10 men at Bournemouth, claims Mikel Arteta
Pep Guardiola reacts to Thomas Tuchel appointment but dodges questions over England talks
Friday 18 October 2024 16:22 , Jack Rathborn
Pep Guardiola refused to say whether he was approached over the England job before the Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel, as he wished the German “the very best” in charge of the national team.
The Independent reported that Guardiola was seen as the top choice for the England job following Gareth Southgate’s resignation and the FA were prepared to wait for the Manchester City boss ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, talks between the FA and Tuchel accelerated earlier this month after initial contact was made in August and the German will take charge in January with interim Lee Carsley overseeing next month’s camp.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham revealed at Tuchel’s unveiling that “approximately 10 candidates” were interviewed, including some from England, although Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said he was not contacted.
Guardiola reacts to Tuchel appointment but dodges questions over England talks
Head to head record favours City
12:15 , Mike Jones
Manchester City have won seven of the last eight league meetings, scoring a total of 25 goals in those games. Their only defeat during that period was by 2-1 at Molineux last season.
Can Wolves beat Man City again?
12:10 , Mike Jones
Wolves are aiming to win consecutive home league games against Manchester City for the first time since a run of three between 1982 and 1996.
City have dropped points in three of their six Premier League visits to Molineux.
Wolves vs Man City team news: Kevin De Bruyne injury latest, hosts face fitness crisis
Friday 18 October 2024 15:51 , Jack Rathborn
Manchester City have been dealt an injury set-back with Kevin De Bruyne unable to start their fixture against Wolves as the Premier League resumes after the international break.
De Bruyne had missed the last five matches in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side, and has asked not to be considered for Belgium duty across the next couple of months as he balances a busy schedule ahead of the Club World Cup next summer.
And while there were hopes that he may be fit to feature fully as the champions travel to Molineux for a meeting with Wolves, Guardiola on match eve provided an unencouraging update on the fitness of the Belgian and teammate Nathan Ake.
Wolves vs Man City team news: De Bruyne injury latest, hosts face fitness crisis
Wolves vs Man City early team news
12:00 , Mike Jones
Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan misses out after injuring his ankle playing for South Korea joining Enso Gonzalez, Sasa Kalajdzic, Yerson Mosquera and Boubacar Traore on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are definitely without Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Oscar Bobb with the latter two long-term absentees.
Nathan Ake remains a doubt.
Good afternoon!
10:04 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Manchester City travel to the midlands to face Wolves in Sunday’s early kick off.
The champions were given a boost yesterday as title rivals Arsenal slipped up with a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth after William Saliba was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity when he dragged down forward Evanlison.
If City triumph at Molineux today they will move to the top of the table ahead of Liverpool’s crucial clash with Chelsea. It’s an equally important encounter for Wolves.
They’re struggling in the table, sitting 19th having collected just one point from their first seven matches. Manager Gary O’Neil is under pressure but taking points off the reigning champions will be a big success.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and latest updates throughout the afternoon so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 2pm.
