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:
John Stones strikes late as Man City beat Wolves with controversial goal
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
Wolves 1-2 Man City: Stones’ stoppage time header ensured the Premier League champions claimed all three points
Bernardo Silva ‘impacted’ Jose Sa - Pundits react to controversial late Man City goal in win over Wolves
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
Wolves were left bottom of the table after the last-minute defeat
FT: Wolves 1-2 Man City
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
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
Arne Slot faces his biggest test yet as Chelsea travel to Anfield
FT: Wolves 1-2 Man City
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
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
FULL-TIME! Wolves 1-2 Man City
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
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.
