Manchester City have gone top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Wolves.
City left it extremely late at Molineux, with John Stones scoring deep into injury time, as he did against Arsenal earlier this season.
Manchester City had a tough day at the office.
Jorgen Strand Larsen gave Wolves an early lead, but a brilliant strike by Josko Gvardiol got City back on level terms.
City dominated the ball but really struggled to break down a resolute Wolves, who had changed to a back three for this game.
City were clearly missing Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, who did come on in the second-half, with the Wanderers backline looking much stronger than of late.
Stones’ goal is going to cause a lot of controversy due to Bernardo Silva’s involvement, and straight after the game, Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge gave their verdicts.
Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge disagree over John Stones’ for Man City goal vs Wolves
City beat Wolves right at the death today after Stones headed in from a Phil Foden corner.
Just before it was taken, Bernardo Silva had been right in front of Jose Sa.
Before Stones had headed it, he had moved and the referee gave the goal after going to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Speaking straight after the game on Sky Sports, Micah Richards said: “I would like to see a goal be given for this.
“I don’t think there’s too much contact. The fact of the matter is, he’s still in the ‘keeper’s way, so it has affected the play in my opinion. But I’m going to go back to the word consistency, sometimes you see them given, sometimes not.
“It’s just that nudge that sets him off balance, so I can understand why Wolves would be aggrieved at this particular moment.”
Sturridge felt City got a stroke of luck, adding: “That used to be my role. Bernardo has played it perfectly. He’s timed it as the header has gone in the back of the net, he’s off the goalkeeper. For me, I do believe he has affected the goalkeeper slightly, if I’m being honest, I do believe that.
“To me, I do believe he’s impacted the goalkeeper’s ability to save it.”
Former City striker Robbie Fowler believed it was a legitimate goal, writing on X: “There was interference as ball was coming in, which is no different than every corner (players holding/pushing etc ).
City lucky at Wolves
On another day, this decision might have gone against City, who got slightly lucky against Wolves.
The home side defended extremely well throughout, and have lost today’s game courtesy of a stunning strike from Gvardiol and a controversial late winner.
City need to improve.
When Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden are not playing, there appears to be a lack of creativity at the moment.
Jeremy Doku prompted frustrations for Guardiola today, and Savinho also struggled at times.
But City keeping on going, although performances will need to improve considerably going forward.
