Battling Wolves defeat European champions
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 v Manchester City 1
Twelve months have passed since Wolves last entertained Manchester City at the Molineux. On that occasion the game had barely started when a Phil Foden back heel set Kevin De Bruyne free to cross low to a waiting Jack Grealish who poked home at the far post. Half an hour later Grealish was again involved this time theatrically going to ground under challenge from Nathan Collins. Referee Anthony Taylor had a cursory look at VAR before issuing a red. Down to ten men the game was rendered a non-contest and Wolves did well to keep the deficit down to three.
Of the Wolves side that played that day, Sa, Semedo, Kilman, Ait Nourri, Hee Chan and Neto remain whilst the downing tools Matheus Nunes has decamped to the opposition. We may bemoan the hollowing out of what was once a strong squad but Tuesday’s defeat away at Ipswich in the Carabao Cup also set in train a social media questioning of the manager’s competence. Suggestions that Gary O’Neill possessed all the aura of a PE teacher were perhaps not that fair on PE teachers but hinted at a potential lack of gravitas. And with Wolves languishing in the lower half of the table another defeat would only heighten the pressure on the Wolves’ manager’s shoulders.
But if one is going to meet Manchester City now is as good a time as any, shorn as they are of the services of Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Bernado Silva and Rodri added to which their manager, Pep Guardiola, was confined to the stands serving a one-match touchline ban. Not that the first ten minutes of the game gave any hint of underperformance as the visitors decamped in the Wolves half. It literally took eleven minutes before Wolves managed to get decent ball in opposition territory and a minute later a counter-attack on the right by the resurgent Pedro Neto set the game alight. Reaching the 18 yard box he cut inside before firing with his weaker right foot, his shot deflecting past Ederson off the shin of Ruben Dias and into the City net. From then until then end of the half, the visitor’s dominated possession. But their use of the ball was ponderous and it failed to break down a resilient Wolves defence, which had reverted to a back five.
Following the half time break Matheus Nunes, who during the first forty-five minutes had been roundly barracked every time he touched the ball, failed to re-appear. A moral victory of sorts although it denied further barracking which I was quite enjoying. The game also raised its entertainment value City now playing with greater intent whilst Wolves defended stoutly occasionally relieving pressure via Neto and Cunha lead forays. Then on 57 minutes a soft foul by Joao Gomez on Oscar Bobb gave the visitor’s a free kick on the edge of the Wolves box. Step forward Julian Alvarez whose fine strike beat Jose Sa on his near post.
The goal could have knocked the stuffing out of the home side but rather than falter Wolves raised their game and ten minutes later a long ball over the top set Nelson Semedo free down the right. Level with the opposition penalty box his curling cross was deflected onto the head of Cunha whose header rebounded into the path of Hwang Hee Chan. With the goal at his mercy the Korean smashed the ball into the net and Molineux erupted.
Twenty minutes later, as referee Craig Pawson drew a veil on proceedings, the Southbank rejoiced to the chant “Nunes Nunes what’s the score?, Nunes what’s the score?”. Wolves had just pulled off a remarkable victory. Football ….. bloody ‘ell.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 8, Semedo 8, Dawson 8, Kilman 8, Gomes 7, Ait Nourri 7 Sub Doherty, Gomes 7 Sub Traore, Lemina 7, Cunha 7 Sub Silva, Hee Chan 8 Sub Castro Otto, Neto 9
Manchester City: Ederson 6, Walker 7, Akanji 6, Ruben Dias 6, Aki 6 Sub Grealish, Nunes 5 Sub Bobb 6, Kovacic 6 Sub Phillips, Foden 6, Alvarez 7, Doku 7, Haaland 6
Attendance: 31,415
Referee: Craig Pawson 8
©Mark Brennand