Wolves 1-2 Man City: John Stones' 95th minute winner rescues victory

Just when it seemed as though Manchester City would drop two points in the title race, John Stones came to the rescue.

With stoppage time almost up, the England defender climbed above Craig Dawson and headed home. For a couple of minutes, City thought it had slipped through their fingers when the goal was originally disallowed for offside against Bernardo Silva, who was standing in an offside position in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa.

After Chris Kavanagh went the check the monitor, he overturned the original decision and gave the goal. Pep Guardiola danced with delight and Gary O’Neil could not believe it. In the summer, Wolves failed in an attempt to have VAR scrapped. This is hardly likely to change their opinion. The tweet from the Premier League account said Silva had not been interfering with play.

Last season, Wolves had a goal disallowed for a similar situation involving their captain Max Kilman, who has since joined West Ham. Wolves players surrounded Kavanagh at full-time here while the home fans vented their fury at the Premier League.

This leaves City two points clear of Arsenal and means Wolves remain rooted to the bottom with one point from eight games. It was extremely harsh on O’Neil’s men, who carried out the plan to perfection.

Though Wolves are deep in trouble, this was much better than the 5-3 defeat at Brentford two weeks ago, which had raised questions about O’Neil and his squad.

The home side even took a surprise early lead through Jorgen Strand Larsen but they were pegged back by Josko Gvardiol’s stunning strike and then Stones decided it at the end.

Sooner or later, every modern Wolves manager reaches for the comfort blanket of a three-man defence, and so it was for O’Neil here. Given the threat of City wingers Savinho and Jeremy Doku, the back three was often a back five or even back seven.

Wing-backs Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri dropped in alongside their centre-backs and were supported by the midfield pair of Mario Lemina and Andre.

For six minutes, it felt ominous. Molineux was subdued and the South Bank seemed almost to be waiting for City to score so they could unleash their frustration on O’Neil and the Wolves board.

Yet suddenly, Wolves were ahead. Santiago Bueno sent Semedo racing into space behind City’s high line and the cross was what centre-forwards dream of. Strand Larsen did the rest and from close range.

City nearly replied instantly. Savinho fizzed a pass into Ilkay Gundogan, whose first-time flick was driven towards the corner by Bernardo Silva. Somehow Jose Sa – in for the injured Sam Johnstone – dropped to his right and clawed the ball away.

Gundogan then headed over Rico Lewis’ cross and Toti Gomes was booked for dragging back Savinho. City were dominant yet vulnerable – and they should have conceded a second just before the 20-minute mark.

Matheus Cunha played a one-two with Strand Larsen in Wolves’ half and released Semedo, who was clear of Gvardiol. Delaying his finish a split second, Semedo’s effort was smothered by Ederson and City were relieved when the ball slid wide after bouncing off Gvardiol.

It would prove costly. Toti had already produced a bizarre clearance from Silva’s cross when Gvardiol brought City level. Instead of taking on Semedo, Jeremy Doku slipped it back to Gvardiol and moments later the ball was in the top corner. Though Sa reached the ball, he could not keep it out.

Sa needed a lucky rebound off Andre to stop Gvardiol running for a second and then the Portuguese keeper made another superb stop in stoppage time. It was similar to the one that denied Silva but was arguably even better, as Savinho’s fierce effort flew through a crowd and Sa could not have spotted it until late.

With former City man Tommy Doyle replacing Andre in midfield for the second half, Wolves prepared for another 45 minutes’ toil. Luckily, Erling Haaland was not yet in rhythm. City’s goal machine miskicked Savinho’s cross at the far post and then played a simple pass into touch.

Attempting to follow Gvardiol’s lead, Ruben Dias struck for goal from 25 yards and became the latest City player to be frustrated by Sa’s reflexes. Strand Larsen was struggling to hold up the ball but Cunha was having far more success dropping into space and running at his opponents. One low shot from 25 yards had Ederson scrambling across his goal and seconds later Toti did brilliantly to stop Haaland reaching Savinho’s cross.

Joao Gomes collected a disputed booking for wrestling with Mateo Kovacic as City took an age over a free-kick from the edge of the box. By now Phil Foden had been standing in the technical area for more than five minutes, ready to come on but waiting for the instruction to do so.

Foden finally replaced Doku and seconds after he did, Wolves substitute Carlos Forbs – another former City player – charged into City territory only to misdirect his cross with Strand Larsen waiting. At the other end, Savinho fired over from an inviting spot 15 yards out.

Now Guardiola introduced Jack Grealish for Savinho and he was quickly involved, lifting to the far post where Silva took a whack in the face trying to make decisive contact. Silva was cleared to continue and had an animated chat with Guardiola on the touchline before returning to the action.

After Grealish and Foden had combined, Sa nearly spilled inside his six-yard box. Wolves were still able to find promising positions yet too often they wasted the final pass. City made the one that matter count as Foden’s delivery was converted by Stones, much to Wolves’ disappointment and fury.