Manchester City’s players wheeled off in celebration after John Stones headed in a late winner for the visitors in their 2-1 win against Wolves at the Molineux Stadium.
However, it seemed heartbreak was destined for Stones in particular after it seemed like the goal could be ruled out after it was initially disallowed — perhaps due to Bernardo Silva standing in Jose Sa’s line of sight.
But referee Chris Kavanagh did not take much time to award Manchester City the goal after being summoned to the watch the replays of the incident.
Pep Guardiola was visibly delighted as City earned a hard-fought victory.
Before Stones’ winner, the Premier League winners seemed destined to share the spoils with Wolves.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side fought to live another day after Stones saved the day for them.
Pep Guardiola says John Stones’ goal rightly stood against Wolves
In the lead-up to the goal, Bernardo moved out of Sa’s eyeline.
As a result, there seemed to be no sight that the Wolves number one’s vision was impacted due to the six-time Premier League winner’s presence.
If the former AS Monaco attacker had stayed static, the hosts would have taken home a point.
But Bernardo smartly stepped away from Sa.
As a result, Manchester City’s centre-back managed to emerge as their saviour once again after his late goal against Arsenal as well.
Pep Guardiola felt Stones’ goal deservedly stood after City defeated Wolves on Sunday.
Guardiola said via BBC Sport: “Of course I didn’t understand it. Linesman, I don’t know the reason why he did it. but Bernardo [Silva] isn’t disturbing the position. It was difficult in the first moment. Today in modern football, they starve the ‘keeper.”
“In the moment what happened [Jose] Sa had the perfect vision. The taker from Phil [Foden] and the header [by John Stones] were magnificent.”
Premier League officially confirm why Stones’ goal for Man City stood against Wolves
Premier League Match Centre confirmed why Stones’ epic winner was given — providing official information from the Match Centre, the VAR hub and PGMOL experts.
Their official confirmation read: “Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision. The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review.”
“The referee overturned his original decision and a goal was awarded.”
The rationale behind the decision-making is one that cannot be disagreed with as Bernardo did not impede Sa’s sight — justifying Pep Guardiola’s claim that the goal rightly stood.
Manchester City would rightly have been angered had the decision not been reversed.
But VAR stepped in, making the right call as Stones emerged as City’s hero once again.
