Manchester City secured a super late win at Wolves, and they broke a club record in the process.
Pep Guardiola’s men looked like they were going to miss the opportunity to take advantage of Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth, however, John Stones struck in the dying moments of stoppage time to give them a 2-1 win.
The home side took a shock lead on seven minutes when Jorgen Strand Larsen turned in a searching cross from the right.
City hit back on 33 minutes through a delightful curling right-footed shot by defender Josko Gvardiol.
It looked like the game was petering out to a 1-1 draw until Stones struck late with a header following a corner.
The goal left Wolves boss Gary O’Neil outraged as he was convinced Stones’ teammate Bernardo Silva was in an offside position and thus affecting Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa’s ability to save Stones’ header.
It was initially disallowed by referee Chris Kavanagh, however, he was told by VAR to review the incident again.
And VAR deemed that Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper, thus meaning the decision not to give the goal was overturned.
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City are the only team that are yet to taste defeat in the league this term and their record stretches back a long way.
The champions are unbeaten in their last 31 games, the longest run in their league history.
It was a get out of jail free card for City, who were well below their best, but they moved three points clear of the Gunners.
For Wolves it was heartbreak and not what they deserved after a good performance, but they have claimed just one point from the opening eight games.
Boss Gary O’Neil has always said there has been context behind their poor start, however he knows results have to arrive soon.
The hosts could not have dreamed for a better start as they went ahead in the seventh minute.
After beating the City press, Nelson Semedo was set free down the right and his excellent cross bisected Ederson and the City defence, allowing Strand Larsen to slide into an empty net at the far post.
O’Neil stood motionless on the touchline, perhaps knowing the game was still in the very early stages.
Indeed, seconds after the restart, City almost equalised as Silva set a low curling effort that was destined for the far post until Sa got across to keep it out with a fine save.
City were pushing for an equaliser, but that left them exposed and another lightning quick break should have seen Wolves double their lead in the 19th minute.
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Joao Gomes sent Semedo through on goal, but the Portuguese’s touch was heavy at the vital moment, allowing Ederson to come out and block his shot.
Wolves really needed that to go in as City equalised in the 33rd minute.
Gvardiol received the ball on the corner of the penalty area and sent a 20-yard dipping shot into the top corner.
They almost went into half-time in front but Sa produced another outstanding low save to keep out Savinho’s effort.
The recalled goalkeeper, in for the injured Sam Johnstone, was again called into action early in the second half to keep out Ruben Dias’ shot from distance.
But for all their possession, Pep Guardiola’s side were struggling to break down a well organised and compact Wolves defence, with the introduction of Foden and Jack Grealish making little difference.
The match seemed destined to finish a draw until a corner in the fifth minute of added time which Stones headed home, with the goal eventually standing after Kavanagh had made his ruling.
