Wolves came so close to pulling off a brilliant result on Sunday before John Stone’s 95th minute winner for Manchester City to deny the hosts just their second point of the season, having held out so well under immense pressure in the second half.
Jorgen Strand Larsen gave Wolves a dream start to the clash at Molineux, Nelson Semedo putting a fantastic ball across the six yard box from out wide which the Norwegian forward latched onto with aplomb.
Josko Gvardiol then drew the visitors level with a sumptuous strike from outside the box – City’s seventh of the season already – on 33 minutes to get his side back into the tie.
The visitors continued to probe and dominated possession in the second half, but just as it looked like they would be unable to break through the hosts’ defence, John Stones climbed highest from a corner in the 95th minute to take all three points.
Here, Mail Sport’s JACK GAUGHAN runs you through which players stood out at Molineux, and those who return home knowing they could have given more.
Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen opened the scoring for the hosts in the seventh minute
Josko Gvardiol made it 1-1 in spectacular fashion with a curling effort from outside the box
Wolves (5-4-1):
Jose Sa – 7.5
Three eye-catching saves kept Wolves in this – especially the dive to his right in preventing Savinho.
Nelson Semedo – 7
Bright going forward down the right-hand side – super for the goal – although curtailed somewhat by a yellow card before half time.
Santiago Bueno – 7
Key pass for the opening goal and some very strong covering defending to shadow City runners.
Craig Dawson – 8
Seems to continue getting better. Loved the battle with Erling Haaland and marshalled the home back line.
Jose Sa made a number of good saves to keep his side in the game with Man City on top at 1-1
Wolves defender Craig Dawson dealt with the threat posed by Erling Haaland admirably
Toti Gomes – 6.5
Solid enough after an early booking. Didn’t get dragged out of position as often as Gary O’Neil might’ve feared.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 7
Performed a decent job in nullifying the obvious direct running of Savinho and the Brazilian eventually switched wings.
Joao Gomes – 7
Worked tirelessly for the cause and often in City’s faces, notably when arguing with Mateo Kovacic.
Mario Lemina – 6
A few tough moments in an energetic display that also required positional discipline in the Wolves midfield.
Joao Gomes worked tirelessly for the Wolves cause – and often did so by getting in City’s faces
Captain Mario Lemina had a tough day in midfield in an otherwise energetic display
Andre – 5.5
A fairly peripheral figure in the centre of midfield as the visitors bossed possession. Hooked at the break.
Matheus Cunha – 6
A threat on the break when carrying possession but chances for that were at a premium.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – 7
Only three touches in the first half but his first – the early goal – put a different complexion on the day.
Subs
Tommy Doyle (for Andre, 46) – 6.5
Carlos Forbs (for Cunha, 67) – 6.5
Goncalo Guedes (for Larsen, 79)
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (for J Gomes, 90)
Andre was a largely peripheral figure in the game and was duly taken off at half-time
Man City (4-1-4-1)
Ederson – 7
One huge save when City trailed by a goal as he raced out to thwart Semedo clean through on goal.
Rico Lewis – 6
Struggled early on and caught for the goal before growing into the game and ended it fairly strongly.
John Stones – 7
Thumping late winner from a Phil Foden corner – his second huge goal of the season on just his second league start.
Ruben Dias – 6
Not solely down to him of course but the fact that City haven’t kept a clean sheet since the opening day is a worry.
Josko Gvardiol – 7.5
Super finish for City’s equaliser in what is a trademark effort these days. Used the ball with good purpose.
Ruben Dias was typically solid at the heart of defence although his side still haven’t kept a clean sheet since opening day
Gvardiol’s goal is becoming something of a trademark with the Croatian defender fond of a fabulous finish from range
Mateo Kovacic – 5.5
Caught out for Strand Larsen’s goal, jumping to press when he should’ve held his position. It’s becoming a regular error.
Savinho – 6
Heavily involved without coming up without a defining moment. Rather wasteful when chances arose.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Nice without being decisive, which sums up Silva’s campaign so far. Pass completion at over 90 yet how productive was he?
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
City were left waiting for those ghosting runs at the back post which never came. Similar to Silva: nothing overly negative, nothing overly positive.
Jeremy Doku – 6
A fair reflection of his City career: looked exceptionally dangerous without producing enough consistency.
Erling Haaland – 6
Kept trying to work space; almost suffocated by markers. Another very frustrating afternoon for the Norwegian.
Mateo Kovacic was caught out for the opening goal in what is becoming a common error
City were waiting throughout the game for Ilkay Gundogan to make one of those typical ghosting late runs into the box
Haaland had a quiet afternoon with his influence on the game suitably smothered by Wolves
Subs
Phil Foden (for Doku, 66) – 7.5
Jack Grealish (for Savinho, 73) – 6
Matheus Nunes (for Kovacic, 86)
