Wolves v Manchester City: Premier League – live
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46 minutes, here we go again...
“Cereal is the ultimate food for game day,” says Sháhín Houshidari. “As a child, the best part of my weekend was taping Match of the Day on Saturday night and then watching it in the early hours of Sunday morning while enjoying a bowl of Cheerios. Each bite of those sweet, crunchy pieces makes every calorie worth it, if only for a moment of nostalgia. Even beyond that, I believe a bowl of cereal is the ideal snack before a run in terms of value and satisfaction.”
It's also a fantastic snack for late at night, balancing feelings of guilt and enjoyment perfectly.
Mid-game email: "To all the cereal skeptics out there," questions N Chide, "if you’re so smart, where am I supposed to get my daily dose of riboflavin? Can someone explain that to me?"
Absolutely – not to mention the exquisite breakfast dishes from around the globe.
Half-Time: Wolves And Man City Draw 1-1
Wolves have carried out their strategy flawlessly, but City has numerous ways to find the back of the net, which is why we go into halftime tied.
At the 46+2 minute mark, Bernardo snatches the ball away from Andre in the penalty area and passes it back to Lewis. Lewis then shifts the ball across the front of the box to Savinho. Savinho sets himself up, bends the shot low and with power through a cluster of players… and Sa dives just in time, making a save that turned out to be far more impressive than it initially seemed.
In the 45th minute, City earns a corner, and we learn that there will be two extra minutes added to the half. Wolves manage to clear the ball without much trouble, but Semedo sends a pass to Cunha too hard as they attempt to launch a counterattack.
44 min “I’m on Mary’s side,” Jeremy Boyce states. “You might as well consume the wrapper for all the benefits you get from what's inside it, and you’d actually get more fiber that way. If you’re craving some sugar, opt for fruits like melons and grapes. I once did a sales presentation alongside a bodybuilder who was eating those right before we went on stage because he believed they provided the fastest sugar boost for his muscles. Alternatively, just have a spoonful of sugar with your iced milk and skip the junk.”
I'm not sure; I don't believe I'll ever completely give up on the occasional treat that's not the healthiest. What really catches my attention here is the strawberry element, not the sugar content.
43 minutes into the game, the Wolves are stuck in their own half, with all players positioned defensively. This makes it easy for City to regain possession whenever the Wolves manage to clear the ball and start mounting another attack.
"I’m just hanging out here, keeping an eye on things while I wait for the next match," Ian Copestake comments. "I can't help but think about how Manchester City has been labeled a 'machine.' It makes me wonder if their style of play is actually enjoyable to watch. In my opinion, they’re incredibly talented, but their game is difficult to appreciate, almost like how some people feel about Steve Smith’s cricket."
I like this version of the team more than the original Guardiola squad because they have a bit more strength and endurance. However, I don't believe they are as skilled.
In the 39th minute, Lemina and Gomes work together to take the ball away from Savinho and pass it to Cunha. Cunha skillfully controls it with a quick turn, but Savinho fouls him in the process and receives a yellow card for his actions.
In the 38th minute, Doku delivers a pass that finds Gvardiol making a run. Gvardiol charges into the penalty area and looks ready to take a shot, but instead attempts a cut-back that gets intercepted. He has clearly been City's standout attacker at this point – by a significant margin.
In a 37-minute segment, Eric Peterson kicks things off with a cheerful, “Good morning from Pittsburgh!” He emphasizes that the Wolves’ performance is much stronger than their current standings suggest. After their match next Saturday against Brighton, they will have played nine games, facing all of the top eight teams except for Tottenham. Given how they've played against these strong opponents this season, I wouldn't be surprised at all if they manage to climb out of the relegation zone before their match against Spurs after the holiday season.
Absolutely, I’m on the same page. I really appreciate Gary O'Neil, and I believe that the 3-5-2 formation fits them much better than the 4-3-3 they were using before today.
In the 35th minute, we mentioned that Gvardiol is blossoming into an impressive player, and his recent goals suggest this is no mere coincidence. This marks Manchester City's seventh goal from outside the box this season, which might seem contrary to Guardiola's style, but it actually highlights the creative freedom his players enjoy while still adhering to the team's overall framework.
Equalizer! Wolves Draw 1-1 With Man City
City are having a tough time breaking through Wolves' defense, so Gvardiol decides to take charge. After receiving a pass from Doku, he creates space for a shot and unleashes a beautiful curling strike that Sa can only deflect into the top of the net.
Doku is incredibly quick off the mark, sprinting past Semedo and delivering a sharp cross that almost catches Haaland off guard. Wolves manage to clear it again, and despite their solid defense, City hasn’t really put them under much pressure. As I’m writing this, Lemina makes an interception but passes it behind before another poorly taken corner leads to Dawson heading it away, and then Bernardo is called for a foul.
29 min “I absolutely cherish these moments,” remarks Karen Asad. “It’s a glimmer of hope that City might stumble. But let’s be real, we’ve experienced this scenario too often; we all know City will likely score at least five goals, especially with Haaland likely netting a hat-trick. And Daniel, do make sure to keep sipping on those green juices.”
Haha! I've mostly overcome my deep and complicated addiction to sugar, but if it's there, it's still a part of you.
In the 28th minute, Bernardo delivers a low cross that goes right across the goal, but Toti is there to make the clearance.
27 minutes in, and Bueno is off. He’s begun very confidently.
After 26 minutes, Doku manages to maneuver past Joao Gomes, who reaches out with a leg and commits a foul just outside the left corner of the penalty area. Gundogan is set to take the free-kick…
In the 25th minute, Savinho passes the ball to Doku, who then sends it back to Kovacic. However, Wolves manage to shut them down once more, with Joao Gomes eventually stealing the ball from Doku, much to the excitement of the fans at home.
In just 23 minutes, Mary Waltz remarks, “What a fantastic start for Wolves! Is this the start of their comeback in the Premier League? It’s great to see Wolves doing well, but eventually, Manchester City’s relentless force will take control.”
That might be the case, but it’s important to mention that Wolves have faced a tough beginning to the season after losing their top players, Max Kilman and Neto. Even if they don't come out on top today, a strong showing could still help kickstart their season.
In the 22nd minute, aside from Sa's save from Gundogan, City hasn't posed much of a threat. However, just as I write this, Gvardiol moves inward and attempts a clever cross to the far post... only for it to go out of bounds. He's really starting to show his potential as a top player.
In the 21st minute, Ait-Nouri and Semedo pull Savinho back, resulting in a yellow card for Semedo.
In the 19th minute, Wolves' Lovely played a pass to Cunha, who was positioned to the left within his own half. Cunha quickly returned the ball, allowing him to maintain his momentum. He then sent an impressive pass straight through the center for the advancing Semedo. However, Semedo seemed a bit off balance, especially when he sensed Gvardiol closely behind him. Ederson reacted swiftly to block Semedo's shot, which was not clearly defined as a delicate touch or a straightforward attempt.
In the 17th minute, Bernardo begins to make his mark on the match. He receives a pass from Gvardiol and moves in slightly closer toward the center of the box. However, the ball unexpectedly bounces up and strikes his hand.
After 16 minutes, the city controlled the ball more, but Joao Gomes put in a strong effort against Doku, winning the duel and clearing the ball effectively.
In the 15th minute, Savinho takes the shot with his left foot, but it ends up hitting one of the two City players who are blocking the view of the wall.
In the 14th minute, Totti loses his footing while trying to control the ball, which allows Savinho to quickly take advantage and steal it from him. As a result, Totti commits a foul and receives a yellow card. This gives Manchester City a free-kick about 20 yards from the goal, positioned slightly to the right.
In a 12-minute segment titled “Morning greetings from California,” Mary Waltz shares her thoughts. She addresses Kellogg's cereal, saying, "Feel free to eat whatever you like, but let’s not pretend that these different products are actual cereals with any real nutritional benefits. If you're looking to kick off your day with a strong dose of sugar, I'd suggest enjoying a chocolate pastry, a hot chocolate, or a sugary, caffeinated coffee. Any of those choices would be much more enjoyable than eating something that tastes like cardboard with a sugar coating.”
I don’t indulge in them often, but cereal covered in sugar and paired with ice-cold milk is truly one of life’s simplest joys.
In just 11 minutes, we notice that Stones completely loses track of Strand Larsen at the goal, which is something we anticipated. While he is very skilled with the ball, he seems to lack awareness and strength, and Wolves have the right capabilities to take advantage of this.
After just 9 minutes, City strikes back quickly. Savio passes to Gundogan, who then connects with Bernardo, but his shot from the edge of the box is expertly saved by Sa, who dives to make the stop.
Wolves Edge Manchester City 1-0 With Goal By Larsen
Who could have predicted this?! A great pass from Bueno out wide enables Semedo to advance, with no defenders in sight. He delivers a beautiful low cross right into the path of Strand Larsen, while City’s defense is all over the place. However, the finish is trickier than it appears as the ball skims away from the striker, but he strikes it firmly and Wolves take the lead!
After 5 minutes, Wolves manage to clear the corner without much trouble, but City regains control and keeps the pressure on them. Gundogan initiates a nice exchange with a quick pass. Once more, even though Wolves temporarily escape danger, City continues to attack. Doku cuts in from the left side, works a one-two with Gundogan, who sets him up with a backheel for a shot… but he misses the target by quite a bit.
In the fourth minute, City passed the ball quickly from one side to the other. Savinho, who began on the right, attempted to find Ait-Nouri on the flank. However, the defender held his ground and eventually had to slide in, resulting in a corner kick.
In just a couple of minutes, Adam Griffiths notes that while Wolves isn't great, at least you can actually see the field. In comparison, places like Newcastle, with its endless staircases and a better vista of the city than the game, require binoculars just to catch a glimpse of the action. Then there's Everton, where pillars are everywhere, blocking the view from nearly every angle, making it an even worse experience.
I really like Goodison Park – you can easily navigate around the pillars – but I have to say, Newcastle's stadium is pretty unpleasant. I assumed they were required to make changes since away fans are supposed to be positioned closer to the pitch, but that doesn't seem to be true after all.
Here we go! For those viewing in monochrome, the City team is dressed in maroon jerseys.
The athletes kneel down.
Our teams are focused and ready to go!
In an email asking if City will go after Ait-Nouri, Gary Stover raises an interesting question. I’m uncertain if he means for immediate use or as an investment for the future. I’m concerned that Wolves might find it tough to keep him when January rolls around, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they focus on strengthening the position behind him.
Hivemind: Has anyone tested these out? If you have, do they actually work?
Could Molineux be the least impressive away section in the league? It's narrow and stretches along the entire length of the pitch, and I argue that it is indeed.
I can't wait to see how the midfield contest plays out. Lemina, Andre, and Gomes will likely try to make it a tough, physical game, since Gundogan and Silva, though very talented, might struggle in that aspect. Still, they could potentially navigate their way through Wolves, but it won't be a simple task.
I understand that O’Neil has opted for a 3-5-2 formation to limit the space available for City, but I can’t help but think that a compact defensive setup might also be effective in dealing with the danger posed by Erling Haaland. By assigning one player to mark him closely, another to cover space, and a third to handle any issues that arise, Wolves could present a solid challenge. If Wolves maintain a low defensive line, Haaland will be forced to drop deeper to receive the ball, which isn’t where he excels.
Wolves could take a cue from Newcastle, whose strong and dynamic style often gives City a hard time. While Newcastle boasts more talented players, their knack for turning every match into a physical battle is something Wolves can replicate.
Guardiola mentioned that Walker returned from the break with an injury, so he didn't travel with the team. However, he is pleased that they have a match on Sunday because it gives his players, especially the Brazilians, an additional day to prepare. This is why Savinho is starting.
Where is the match taking place? The Wolves will aim to control the center of the field, pushing City to play on the flanks instead of through the middle. This could explain why Guardiola has chosen wingers rather than more traditional wide players; it makes me curious if Doku and Savio will stick to their preferred positions. On the other hand, the home team's forward duo could create difficulties as well. Cunha could be a challenging opponent for Stones, and Strand Larsen might exploit the gaps behind the defense, especially since City's central defenders aren't particularly fast.
Regarding City, Nathan Aké is back and sitting on the bench, alongside Manuel Akanji, who suffered a minor injury while playing for his national team. Consequently, Stones steps into the center-back position, while Jeremy Doku and Savinho start on the wings, with Phil Foden and Jack Grealish available as substitutes.
O’Neil will be missing several players, including Yerson Mosquera, Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso González, Bastein Meupiyou, Boubacar Traoré, and now Hwang Hee-chan, who sustained an injury while representing South Korea and will be unavailable for about a month. As a result, Matheus Cunha and Jørgen Strand Larsen will lead the attack, and they have the potential to challenge John Stones and Ruben Dias throughout the match.
O’Neil mentioned to Sky that Sam Johnstone suffered an injury during practice, which is why José Sa will be stepping in – he’s been eager to get his chance. He reassured that the team’s spirit is good, even though Wolves have faced a challenging schedule recently and performed decently overall. However, their last match against Brentford was not up to standard. Despite the tough challenge ahead today, they are confident they can improve. Since they won this matchup last year, they understand what it takes and the level of play needed to secure a victory.
Alternatively, he is simplifying the situation during the buildup since his players don’t require any complicated tactics at the moment. However, that’s not the reason he has opted for a five-man defense; he has consistently used that strategy when facing City. Ultimately, he isn’t concerned with Guardiola or any other coach praising Wolves; all he cares about is that his team performs at their best.
Wolverhampton Wanderers lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with Sa in goal; Bueno, Dawson, and Gomes in defense; a midfield featuring Semedo, Gomes J, André, Lemina, and Ait-Nouri; and Cunha and Larsen leading the attack. The substitutes included Bentley, Doherty, R Gomes, Doyle, Sarabia, Forbs, Bellegarde, Guedes, and Lima.
Manchester City lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, featuring Ederson in goal. The defense consisted of Lewis, Stones, Dias, and Gvardiol. In the midfield, Kovacic held a deeper role, with Sávio, Gundogan, Bernardo, and Doku ahead of him. Leading the attack was Haaland. The substitutes available for the match included Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Grealish, Akanji, Nunes, Foden, O'Reilly, and McAtee.
Official: Chris Kavanagh from Manchester
One of the most undeniable truths in football is that the league table reveals the reality of the competition. There's a straightforward method to determine which team should come out on top in a match—the score itself. These scores are then gathered to create a clear and unquestionable ranking. It may seem straightforward, but that's exactly how it works.
However, the table indicates that Wolves are currently the second-worst team, having earned just one point from seven matches. This places them below Crystal Palace, who have two points more, and level with Southampton just beneath them. Despite this poor performance, there’s a lingering feeling that Wolves aren’t as bad as their record suggests, putting Gary O’Neil in a tough spot as he faces significant pressure.
He won't anticipate any kindness from Manchester City. Just like Wolves are more than just a statistic, the champions are too. The dominant phase during Guardiola's early years has shifted to a more ruthless determination to always stay ahead of their closest rival. With Arsenal having lost yesterday, City is aware that today presents them with a chance to underscore that harsh truth.
Wolves possess the ability to create challenges for their opponents, especially in the midfield. Their energy and strength can unsettle any team, particularly one that is still figuring out how to manage without its top midfielder. If Wolves can get off to a fast start and maintain solid defense, the match is likely to be fierce and closely contested. However, if they struggle in these areas, they could find themselves in a worse situation than their current position in the league indicates.
