Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered a heartbreaking defeat as Manchester City scored in the 95th minute to earn a 2-1 win in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, seeing their Premier League unbeaten run extended to a club-record 31 matches.
Wolves got off to a dream start in search of their first win of the Premier League campaign as a wonderfully crafted team goal culminated in an inch-perfect cross from Nelson Semedo finding Jorgen Strand Larsen at the back post, where the striker finished effortlessly to put Wolves ahead just seven minutes into the match.
The hosts were excellent in their efforts to prevent Man City from creating any significant chances, but their hard work was undone when Josko Gvardiol fired a stunning strike into the top right corner just after the half-hour mark, a simply unstoppable effort from the defender to bring the visitors level.
The second half started much like the first, with Manchester City in complete control of the ball but struggling to penetrate the stern Wolves defence in their search for a second goal, limited instead to long-range attempts.
Manchester City's pursuit of a winning goal continued heading into the closing minutes, marked by an unusual sense of desperation from the champions, but Wolves largely stood strong.
That was until the 95th minute, when a Man City corner was brilliantly delivered by Phil Foden, with John Stones rising highest to head the ball beyond the reach of the helpless Jose Sa, giving the visitors a dramatic late winner.
A VAR check followed for a potential offside decision against Bernardo Silva, but the goal was quickly awarded by Chris Kavanagh after being sent to the screen, sparking fury from Wolves and Gary O'Neil.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. MANCHESTER CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Jorgen Strand Larsen goal vs. Manchester City (7th min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Manchester City)
What a START for Wolves! 💪
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 20, 2024
Jorgen Strand Larsen puts the home side in front 🤯 pic.twitter.com/aJZzBzux1e
It's a dream start for Wolves!
The ball is fed wide to Semedo, who is standing in plenty of space down the right side, and the defender takes one touch before sending a low cross into the box from a deeper position.
His cross finds its way past the Manchester City defenders and reaches Larsen at the back post, where the striker calmly slots the ball into the net and gives Wolves an early lead.
Josko Gvardiol goal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (33rd min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Manchester City)
Gvardiol that is SENSATIONAL!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C1KIIjjYFd
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 20, 2024
Sensational from Gvardiol!
Wolves' brilliant work in the opening half-hour is shattered by a stunning strike from Gvardiol, who curls a magnificent shot into the top right corner with his weaker right foot from just outside the area.
The Croatian has become a real goal threat for Man City, that is his fifth goal in his last seven away games in the Premier League!
John Stones goal vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (95th min, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Manchester City)
John Stones wins it in the 95th minute! 💥 pic.twitter.com/VIvAPDeNGL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 20, 2024
Stones looks to have won it for City!
Man City are handed a corner in the final minutes and a perfect delivery finds Stones in the middle of the box, who plants his header past Sa to surely give the visitors a phenomenal late victory.
A VAR check briefly halted Man City's celebrations, but the goal was quickly awarded, much to the jubilation of the away supporters.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JOSE SA
© Imago
Sa was extremely unfortunate to be on the losing side today, with the shot-stopper's outstanding performance more than deserving of at least a point.
The keeper made five superb saves to keep Man City at bay throughout the majority of the 90 minutes, but even his fantastic performance could not deny the champions from claiming a late victory.
A shoutout must also be made to Man City's Josko Gvardiol, who scored a remarkable strike to bring the visitors level, but also played a huge part in their excellence on the ball in search of their second goal.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS VS. MANCHESTER CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Wolverhampton Wanderers 22%-78% Manchester City
Shots: Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-22 Manchester City
Shots on target: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-7 Manchester City
Corners: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-18 Manchester City
Fouls: Wolverhampton Wanderers 8-5 Manchester City
BEST STATS
25 - Rico Lewis is the first teenager to start 25 league matches under Pep Guardiola in his top-flight managerial career. Trusted. pic.twitter.com/vfnM91CXAT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 20, 2024
All three of Jørgen Strand Larsen's Premier League goals for Wolves have come in the first half:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 20, 2024
â—Ž vs. Chelsea
â—Ž vs. Brentford
â—‰ vs. Man City
He did end up on the losing side the two previous times however. 👀#WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/pqPgKrsu7X
6 - Josko Gvardiol's equaliser for Manchester City means he's now the top-scoring defender in the Premier League in 2024 (six goals). Limitless. pic.twitter.com/2LaFLlBdXF
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 20, 2024
18 - John Stones' match-winning header was scored via Manchester City's 18th corner, the most corners taken by a team in a Premier League match this season. Nod. pic.twitter.com/PnLKCtpIXt
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 20, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
A fourth successive Premier League loss for Wolves leaves them still pursuing their first league win of the 2024-25 season, and they will continue that search with a difficult away journey to face Brighton & Hove Albion next Saturday.
Victory for Manchester City marks a club-record 31 consecutive matches without defeat in the league, and they will look to extend that streak against struggling Southampton following their midweek Champions League match against Sparta Prague.
Ellis Stevens
