Manchester City earned a late 2-1 win against Wolves at the Molineux Stadium, courtesy of goals from Josko Gvardiol and John Stones on Sunday.
Jorgen Strand Larsen opening the scoring for Gary O’Neill’s side seven minutes into the game.
At the time, it seemed like Wolves could pull off a repeat of their upset against City last season.
Pep Guardiola’s side had the chance to extend their lead over Arsenal after their 2-0 defeat to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday and put the pressure on Liverpool ahead of their much-awaited affair against Chelsea.
Manchester City triumphed and responded in champions’ fashion against the hosts.
Ederson-6/10
The Brazilian made a terrific save to keep Nelson Semedo at bay when he was bearing down on goal. Ederson Moraes could not do much about Strand Larsen’s opener.
The 31-year-old also swept a dangerous situation by rushing forward and heading it towards a Manchester City teammate. Largely, the six-time Premier League winner was untested.
Rico Lewis- 5.5/10
Rico Lewis, who has had a brilliant season so far was perhaps guilty of not getting tight enough on Strand Larsen on goal. Positionally, Lewis was caught up the pitch at times but considering how advanced he was playing, it would be tough for any right-back to cover the ground needed to revert to their position in time.
Much-improved second-half display from the 19-year-old as he carried the ball well to get Manchester City up the pitch and admirably defended against Carlos Forbs.
John Stones- 7
The Englishman was solid, if not spectacular for much of the game. But Stones saved City’s blushes with a last-gasp goal once again as he leapt like a salmon and converted a scored a 95th minute from a corner.
Ruben Dias- 6
Ruben Dias defended well when tested and even tested Jose Sa with a long-range effort that could potentially have gone in. The Portuguese centre-back was well-placed positionally and even made surging runs into the box to help the visitors grab an equalsier.
Josko Gvardiol- 8
Josko Gvardiol has been one of Manchester City’s best players this season and in the first half, he produced a moment of magic with a tremendous strike from outside the box with his weaker right-foot to level the scores.
Defensively, Gvardiol was as solid as ever, making a number of crucial tackles while inverting into midfield.
Mateo Kovacic- 4/10
Mateo Kovacic did not have a particularly outstanding game from both a defensive and an offensive standpoint as Rodri’s absence continues to be felt. Neither is the Croatian as adept at breaking up play or spraying the expansive passes the Spanish international tends to for City to get forward at ease.
Kovacic was often caught on the ball trying to dribble past his man and lost the pass on far too many instances.
Bernardo Silva- 5/10
Playing as one of the two attacking midfielders alongside Ilkay Gundogan, apart from Bernardo Silva came close to scoring in the first half. Late on into the game, Bernardo perhaps should have scored from close range after Jack Grealish found him space.
Largely, the 29-year-old was rather ineffective.
Ilkay Gundogan- 4.5/10
Gundogan’s intelligent runs into the box and crafty flicks into others were signs that he still remains the midfielder who left the Etihad Stadium last year. But at times, the former Barcelona midfielder’s sloppiness in possession was a reminder that he still seems to be reeling from a lack of a pre-season.
The German failed to really provide anything of note going forward for much of the clash while coming out second best in far too many of his duels.
Savinho- 7.5/10
Savinho was the liveliest player on the pitch in the first half — taking on Rayan Ait-Nouri at will, providing dangerous passes into the final third and looking like a threat at all times.
Effective but to a lesser degree in the second half when played on the left-wing
Erling Haaland- 5/10
Ultimately, in both halves, Erling Haaland was rather anonymous due to getting a lack of service from his teammates.
Haaland could have converted a lovely pass into the box from close range, courtesy of Savinho in the second half.
Jeremy Doku- 7/10
Jeremy Doku, alongside Savinho created plenty of problems for the Wolves defence — especially in terms of picking out the late runs into the box of Gundogan and Gvardiol. Taking on his man when required and also displaying his eye for a pass, Doku was certainly creating problems in the first half.
Far less potent when tasked to play on the right-wing by Pep Guardiola.
Substitutes
Jack Grealish- 7/10
Grealish was instantly a threat when he came off the bench as he created several chances and gave Semedo a hard time as he constantly probed and tried to unlock Wolves’ defence in what was a bright cameo.
Phil Foden- 6/10
Phil Foden did not get much of the ball to be able to impact proceedings. But Foden did put in an excellent corner to set up Stones’ winner.
