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Manchester City were subjected to their fifth defeat of the season, following a 3-2 thriller at the Molineux Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead after 25 minutes, with VAR awarding 10-man City a penalty. While the initial spot kick was saved, Raheem Sterling was able to slot home the rebound from his second attempt, after VAR had ruled Conor Coady had illegally encroached on the first attempt. Sterling made it two in the second half, with a delicate finish from a devastating counter-attack to give City a welcomed cushion.
The away side led 2-0 against the run of the play, having lost Ederson to a red card after just 10 minutes. The lead was soon wiped out, however, with Adama Traore scoring from distance, and then assisting Raul Jimenez late on to set up a grandstand finish. There was one more twist to come as Matt Doherty popped up with a winning goal for Wolves in injury time to drop City down to third, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Positives
After losing Ederson so early, it would have been easy for City’s heads to drop, and for the game plan to be abandoned. However, that didn’t manifest — the visitors instead digging deep and playing well in possession — in the first half at least. The mental resilience and fight will surely please Pep Guardiola on a day to forget for the gaffer.
Negatives
To have lost their starting goalkeeper at such a crucial stage of the season must surely take precedence over any other potential takeaway. Ederson’s gung-ho goalkeeping style is so often effective, but when it goes wrong, it does so spectacularly. This mistake has, in all likelihood, handed Liverpool the Premier League title.
Manager Rating out of 10
6 — The team selection from Guardiola included introducing Benjamin Mendy at left-back, potentially to combat the threat posed by Adama Traore. The Spanish boss had little choice but to take off Serio Aguero for Claudio Bravo, but the change appeared to have little effect, as the away side struck first from the spot. Mendy being pushed off the ball by Traore did directly allow Jiminez to equalise late on, but ultimately, the manager’s game plan had to be scraped after just 10 minutes.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ederson, 4 — Red carded after just 10 minutes, following an all-or-nothing challenge outside the box on Jota. Rash.
DF Kyle Walker, 5 — A difficult outing for the veteran right-back, who was tasked with endless defensive duties up against Wolves’ Jonny. He struggled to deny crosses into the box in what was a very underwhelming display.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 5 — Rash, reckless, and partially at fault for Ederson’s red — another night to forget for the Argentine.
DF Fernandinho, 6 — In testing circumstances, the 33-year-old was typically committed to cause, but will rue mistakes that led to his side’s defeat. Aerially, he dealt with Wolves’ pressure admirably, whilst also distributing the ball well when in possession.
DF Benjamin Mendy, 5 — The Frenchman was superb defensively up against Traore in the first half. However, a calamitous mistake allowed the Wolves winger to cross for Jimenez’ late equaliser. A true game of two halves for the error prone left-back.
MF Rodri, 7 — A decent outing from the Spanish holding midfielder. Rodri was involved in all facets of the game, breaking up Wolves’ attacks, before helping to launch City counters — including a move than set up Sterling’s second-half goal.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 7 — The Belgian was less impressive when compared to recent performances, but it was, nonetheless, a highly effective outing. Clinical passing, including an assist for Sterling’s second, means that the 29-year-old can be one of the few relatively pleased with his contributions.
MF Bernardo Silva, 6 — Playing in a much deeper role than usual, the Portuguese international was crucial in helping his side to retain the ball in the first half. From a defensive perspective, he worked hard, but was fairly ineffective.
FW Riyad Mahrez, 6 — The Algerian winger was one of the most influential City starters, notably winning the away side’s controversial early penalty. Coming after Ederson’s red card, it was a huge moment for Pep’s side — and while his theatrics going to ground shouldn’t be encouraged, his impact on the game was undeniable.
FW Sergio Aguero, 6 — Lasted just 10 minutes, after acting as Guardiola’s sacrificial lamb following Ederson’s sending off.
FW Raheem Sterling, 8 — The England international was persistently lively, troubling Wolves with dangerous movement in the absence of a recognised striker. His smart work was rewarded with a pair of goals, scoring on the rebound from his retaken spot kick, before delicately chipping Rui Patricio for his second.
Substitutes
GK Claudio Bravo, 5 — Came on early to replace the dismissed Ederson. As we have come to expect, the stand-in keeper’s distribution left much to be desired — as did his handling of Wolves’ free kicks.
DF Eric Garcia, 6 — The young Spaniard replaced the most hated man in Wolverhampton, that being Mahrez, at half time. Playing as a third centre-back, Garcia equipped himself admirably in trying conditions.
MF Ilkay Gundogan, N/R — Replaced De Bruyne as Guardiola looked to hold his side’s 2-1 advantage. Ultimately, they did not and some of that blames falls on the German.