Wolves impressed as they earned a 1-1 draw with Premier
League champions Manchester City on Saturday at Molineux.
After City hit the woodwork twice in the first half, Wolves
took the lead in the most controversial fashion as Willy Boly handled Joao
Moutinho's fine cross into the far corner (57), the touch not spotted by
referee Martin Atkinson or his assistants.
City equalised through Aymeric Laporte's strong header from
Ilkay Gundogan's set piece (69), before Sergio Aguero hit the crossbar with a
free-kick in the last minute of stoppage time.
Player ratings
Wolves: Patricio (8), Coady (6), Bennett (7), Boly (8),
Doherty (6), Neves (6), Moutinho (7), Jonny (7), Jota (7), Jimenez (7), Costa
(7).
Subs: Traore (7), Vinagre (NA)
Man City: Ederson (6), Walker (5), Kompany (7), Laporte (7),
Mendy (6), Fernandinho (6), David Silva (6), Gundogan(7), Bernardo Silva (6),
Aguero (6), Sterling (7).
Subs: Jesus (6), Sane (5), Mahrez (NA)
Man of the match:
Willy Boly
The result means City drop points for the first time this
season, while Wolves are on two points from their opening three games.
Wolves caused City some problems early on, seeing Raul
Jimenez's early close-range strike chalked off correctly for offside, but City
eventually got going.
They rattled the woodwork twice in two minutes; Aguero slid
a first-time effort against the foot of the post from 12 yards, before Raheem
Sterling's fine half-volley from 25 yards was superbly tipped onto the bar by
Rui Patricio, an early contender for save of the season.
Team news
Wolves were unchanged following the 2-0 defeat by Leicester,
while Man City made two changes after the 6-1 win over Huddersfield. Gabriel
Jesus was replaced by Raheem Sterling, and Kyle Walker came in for John Stones.
Aguero then fired straight at Patricio in a good position
after Benjamin Mendy's wicked cross was palmed into his path, before a frantic
two-minute period in the second half saw Wolves take the lead and leave City
feeling hard-done-by.
Ederson brilliantly tipped wide after Douglas Costa had
raced through one-on-one on the City goal, but from the resulting short corner,
Moutinho's wicked cross was turned home by the hand of Boly.
Seconds later, Boly superbly blocked from David Silva's
drive as City looked for an instant reply, and City then saw strong appeals for
a penalty turned down by Atkinson as Ruben Neves tripped Silva.
City did eventually respond through Laporte's first goal for
the club, a thumping header from six-yards from Gundogan's pinpoint free-kick,
and it was nearly 2-1 as Patricio saved brilliantly with his legs from Gabriel
Jesus' strong header.
Aguero hit the woodwork for the second time with a
95th-minute free-kick coming off the crossbar, and it stayed one apiece after a
frantic and entertaining contest.
Opta stats
Wolves have lost just two of their 28 home games in all
competitions under Nuno Espirito Santo (W18 D8 L2).
City have lost just one of their last 30 Premier League
games against newly-promoted teams (W22 D7 L1).
City conceded the first goal of a Premier League game for
the first time in their last 18 fixtures in the competition, since losing 3-4
to Liverpool on January 14th.
Since the start of last season, City have lost just one of
the six Premier League games in which they conceded the first goal (W3 D2 L1).
The managers
Nuno: "The players deserve credit. the way they worked
and prepared themselves, we knew it would be tough but we worked for it, played
the way and style and shape we believe, and individually we were
fantastic."
Nuno Espirito Santo hailed a fantastic Wolves performance
Guardiola: "It was a good game. Too many
counter-attacks, but we missed simple passes, and when that happens it is
impossible to avoid it. We had chances with the players we had, and it was a
good point.
"Of course, Wolves deserve compliments. It's none of my
business [whether Boly's goal should bring in VAR]. The Premier League will
decide, and when they decide VAR will be here. When I spoke to the referee, I
was just making a compliment about their job."
