John Stones proves Man City’s saviour again after late VAR controversy – 5 talking points

WOLVES 1-2 MAN CITY: Josko Gvardiol cancelled out Jorgen Strand Larsen’s early goal before John Stones popped up in the last minute of added time and won the game for Pep Guardiola’s City

John Stones was Manchester City’s saviour yet again as the England star scored a controversial 96th-minute winner to break Wolves hearts.

Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen the hosts ahead after just seven minutes, as City fell behind in a league game once more. But as expected from the champions, there was a response and it came in style through Josko Gvardiol.

What wasn’t to be expected was their struggle to find a second goal, as Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa produced a string of fine saves to frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side. Gary O’Neil was desperate for a positive result, as Wolves came into Sunday’s fixture off the back of five defeats in a row, and despite their defensive resilience, Stones popped up and snatched victory.

City went into the game knowing that a point would put them back ahead of title rivals Arsenal, who dropped points for the third time this season in Saturday’s bruising 2-0 loss away to Bournemouth. A win, however, would put Guardiola’s side level with Liverpool before their clash with Chelsea.

Here are five talking points from Molineux.

1. Erling who?

Once upon a time it was a shock when City went behind in the Premier League. Nowadays it happens more often than not.

Wolves striker Strand Larsen came into the game wanting to shows fans that Erling Haaland isn’t the only Norwegian striker defences should be afraid of. Peeling off John Stones and getting ahead of Rico Lewis as Wolves went on the attack, Strand Larsen found himself in space and exploited City’s high line, with right-back Nelson Semedo on the ball.

Semedo produced a perfectly-weighted pass which was too far out for Ederson to intercept but allowed his team-mate to finish first-time. It marked the 24-year-old’s third goal in eight league appearances and meant that City have now gone behind in four of their last six games.

The champions nearly replied within two minutes, Bernardo Silva was denied by an excellent save from Sa, who came in for Wolves for the injured Sam Johnstone. It was almost 2-0 in the 19th minute, though, as Matheus Cunha played in the marauding Semedo for a one-on-one with Ederson.

Fortunately for City, defender Josko Gvardiol came racing back and did enough to put the Portuguese off, as his effort was saved. That wouldn’t be Gvardiol’s only crucial intervention.

2. Gvardiol responds in style

For all the talk of pass, pass, pass with Guardiola’s football, City have scored seven goals from outside the box this season and Gvardiol’s equaliser may just be the pick of the bunch. The left-footed defender was helping pen Wolves in and 20 yards from goal, the Croatian found himself in enough space to unleash a strike on his right peg and give Sa no chance.

The goal had certainly been coming, with the two yellow cards shown to Wolves’ defenders a sign of their desperation. The equaliser didn’t change the flow of the game either, despite O’Neil urging his side to push higher and get out of their own defensive third in what became a draining half.

It ended level, though, with Sa producing another fine save down to his left to tip Savinho’s shot wide.

Get involved! Is Josko Gvardiol the best left-back in the world? Have your say in the comments section.

3. Super Sa

If one man needed a performance at Molineux, you’d struggle to look beyond Wolves ‘keeper Sa. Dropped rather unceremoniously by O’Neil after Johnstone’s arrival in August, the Portugal international was given a chance to proven himself against the very best that Premier League has to offer.

His aforementioned saves from Silva and Savinho were vital, and so was third diving effort to stop Ruben Dias putting City ahead with a long-range strike. Then came a couple of smart claims to frustrate Haaland and Gvardiol respectively, keeping the hosts on level terms.

Sa looked confident and eager to prove a point, frustrating Guardiola’s men in the process. The City manager made his first change after 65 minutes, introducing Phil Foden from the bench after his half-time decision to swap Jeremy Doku and Savinho on the flanks didn’t pay dividends.

4. O’Neil so close to reprieve

Five defeats on the bounce and then City come to town. It couldn’t have been crueller for Wolves as the pressure on O’Neil simmered during the international break.

Fortunately for Wolves’ embattled boss, his players showed how good they can be with a determined display in daunting circumstances. Defender Toti Gomes’ assured performance was a standout, keeping Haaland very quiet alongside the help of Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson.

Next up is a trip to Brighton, who are themselves in good form and will no-doubt test Wolves’ metal again. This, though, was encouragement for O’Neil but Wolves couldn’t hold out.

5. Stones steals it after VAR controversy

Just like in the dramatic 2-2 draw with Arsenal last month, Stones was the hero for City with a 96th-minute winner which left Wolves incensed. Silva was blocked Sa when Stones made contact and the goal immediately went for a VAR check.

Referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the screen and kept his original decision, sending the away end into pandemonium once again. Stones’ goal moved City top of the table and put pressure on Liverpool to beat Chelsea at home on Sunday’s second game.

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