WOLVERHAMPTON, England, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Manchester City defender John Stones headed a controversial stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday that took them top of the Premier League and set a club record of 31 league games unbeaten.
Champions City dominated possession from start to finish at Molineux, but were shocked in the seventh minute when a perfect cross from Nelson Semedo was met with a composed close-range finish by Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
WOLVES LEAD MAN CITY.
Molineux erupts as Jørgen Strand Larsen puts his team in front against the champions!USA Network | #WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/PAj6ZBBFkZ
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 20, 2024
Semedo missed a glorious chance to put Wolves further ahead in a one-on-one that Ederson saved, before City defender Josko Gvardiol picked up the ball in space and curled a beautiful shot past Jose Sa for a deserved 33rd-minute equaliser.
JOSKO GVARDIOL THAT IS STUNNING.
What a hit to equalize for the Citizens.USA Network | #WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/sCPOWmCw61
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 20, 2024
Stones's late winner from a corner went to a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for a possible offside by Bernardo Silva in front of the goalkeeper, but it was allowed to the delight of their manager Pep Guardiola and travelling fans.
JOHN STONES WINS IT IN THE FINAL SECONDS FOR MANCHESTER CITY. INCREDIBLE. pic.twitter.com/JsO025yDeF
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 20, 2024
"I'm really pleased to win in that fashion and get on the scoresheet again," said Stones, who also scored a late equaliser against Arsenal last month.
"It was a tough game. I've got to give credit to Wolves, how they stopped us creating chances, made it difficult for us in the final third."
Two goals so far this season, both scored in stoppage-time ⏰
John Stones. Clutch. pic.twitter.com/Cd5ZG6gGhi— Premier League (@premierleague) October 20, 2024
City moved top of the league on goal difference with 20 points, two above Liverpool who kicked off against Chelsea afterwards and could retake top spot with a win.
Wolves manager furious after controversial VAR call in last-minute defeat
Bottom on one point and without a win this season, Wolves are staring at a battle against relegation unless they can start picking up wins.
Their manager Gary O'Neil was furious at the end of the game, after his team had defended valiantly against City who enjoyed three quarters of possession but fashioned few clear chances and found goalkeeper Sa in fine form when they did.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially disallowed Stones' 95th-minute goal, believing Silva had blocked Sa's line of vision, but VAR deemed that was not the case. When Kavanagh saw footage at the side of the pitch, he overturned the decision, bringing boos round the ground from the home fans.
I’m far from a WOLVES fan…
And people will probably say I’m sticking up for the GK union….BUT…
That John Stones goal should’ve been DISALLOWED.
Bernardo Silva backs into Jose Sa which takes him out of a comfortable ‘set’ position.
— Ben Foster (@BenFoster) October 20, 2024
"We have been in that position, when you lose at the end. But this is the game," said Guardiola, praising his players' patience.
"I am so proud. We played the way we want to play and it is a joy to be here, to score in the last 50 seconds and go top of the league."
Manchester City's last Premier League defeat came against Aston Villa last December. By contrast, Wolves have only one draw, failing to win any of their opening eight league games in a season for the first time since four decades ago when they finished bottom of the top flight.
"It did feel like a harsh one," O'Neil said of the decision to let Stones' goal stand. "I am trying to remain calm. I have been involved in a few of those and not had many go in our favour so I was expecting that outcome."
(Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Ed Osmond)
