Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Man City vs Wolves LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

Follow all the action live from the Etihad

Michael Jones
Saturday 11 December 2021 09:50 EST
Comments
Pep Guardiola: "It's always a tough game when we play Wolves"

It was the type of game against mid-table opposition at the Etihad that Manchester City typically make light work of and this victory, earned by the 100th Premier League goal of Raheem Sterling’s career, will keep the defending champions at the top of the table this weekend, no matter what happens elsewhere. City were good value for their win, too, improving considerably in the second half.

Yet that improvement and the three points only came once Wolverhampton Wanderers had been reduced to 10 men by one of the most ridiculous, self-inflicted sendings-off you are likely to see this season for Raul Jimenez, while the winning goal only came from a debatable penalty that summed up an inconsistent, at times unauthoritative display by referee Jonathan Moss.

Overall, this was a forgettable affair, and only Jimenez’s bizarre red card warrants committing to memory. At the end of the first half, after already being cautioned for a questionable foul on Rodri, Jimenez refused to move out of the way for the subsequent free-kick then immediately intercepted it, inviting Moss to show him a second yellow and a red.

Wolves’ game plan up to that point had produced a dour, lifeless first half that was nevertheless frustrating City’s attempts to break them down and ultimately working in their favour. Jimenez’s sending off ripped that blueprint up and City proceeded to rip Wolves apart, eventually taking the lead through Sterling and dominating against 10-man opponents in a manner not reflected by the 1-0 scoreline.

Man City vs Wolves: Jesus vs Wolves

Gabriel Jesus likes playing against Wolves. He has scored five goals in three Premier League starts against the midlands team.

(Getty Images)
Michael Jones11 December 2021 12:18

Sign up for free Independent sport newsletters

Sign up to our free sport newsletters for regular updates straight to your inbox. Whether you would like a weekly rundown direct from our chief football writer Miguel Delaney or you want weekly sport digest from our sport editor Ben Burrows, or you want all the latest tips for your Fantasy Football game from our resident expert Mark Critchley, you can sign up by clicking here and scrolling to the sport section.

Independent Sportsdesk11 December 2021 12:15

Man City vs Wolves: Traore the key for Wolves?

Adama Traore has scored a career-best three Premier League goals against Manchester City, including a brace in Wolves’ only Premier League away triumph in this fixture in October 2019.

(Getty Images)
Michael Jones11 December 2021 12:14

Man City vs Wolves: Foden on the bench for City

Phil Foden has scored 21 goals and assisted 15 since the start of last season which is three more direct goal involvements than any other Manchester City player but he’ll have to make an impact from the bench today.

(Getty Images)

Michael Jones11 December 2021 12:11

Man City vs Wolves: A tough task for the visitors

Wolves have won just three of their last 23 top-flight away games at the reigning champions, although one of those victories came at the Etihad Stadium in 2019-20. Can they earn a repeat results today?

(Getty Images)

Michael Jones11 December 2021 12:07

Man City vs Wolves: Bernardo in ‘undroppable' form

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has scored six goals in his last eight Premier League appearances - one more than in his previous 61 games.

He is the top scoring midfielder in the Premier League this season with seven goals and in such good form that Pep Guardiola has branded him ‘undroppable’.

(Getty Images)

Michael Jones11 December 2021 12:04

Man City vs Wolves: Pep Guardiola refuses to discuss Erling Haaland to Man City rumours

Pep Guardiola has refused to discuss the prospect of Manchester City signing Erling Haaland.

Mino Raiola, the agent of the prolific Borussia Dortmund striker, mentioned the Premier League champions as a potential destination when saying there is a “big chance” the Norwegian could move next summer.

Haaland, 21, is one of the hottest properties in the game having scored 72 goals in 74 appearances for Dortmund since joining the club in January 2020.

Pep Guardiola refuses to discuss Erling Haaland to Man City rumours

The Norwegian striker is being linked with all of Europe’s biggest clubs

Michael Jones11 December 2021 12:01

Man City vs Wolves: Wolves to earn away win?

Wolves are winless in three Premier League matches on the road, although they have lost just twice in seven away fixtures this season.

They are the only side yet to concede a set-piece goal in the Premier League this season. In 2020-21, they let in 14 goals from set-plays, the most of any top-flight team bar Leeds’ 15.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 11:58

Man City vs Wolves: City to get back to winning ways?

Manchester City’s Champions League defeat at RB Leipzig ended a seven-match winning streak in all competitions.

Their tally of 31 top-flight league victories in a calendar year is bettered only by Liverpool, with 33 in 1982, and Chelsea, with 32 in 2005.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 11:55

Man City vs Wolves: Lage on December schedule

Wolves manager Bruno Lage spoke about the jam-packed Premier League schedule across December and how he is preparing to deal with it one game at a time. Lage said:

It’s what I said at the beginning of the month; this is a real test. In the Premier League, every game is a challenge for us, but every time you go to play against these teams it is an opportunity for us to show our work.

“As you know, we played the last game against Liverpool. We were there, we tried to play our game, and I think we did well. We suffered a goal late in the game, but the players did everything I asked.

“Now, one game at a time, we’re just focused on Man City and what we can do. I am sure of two things; they will have more time with the ball than us, and I’m confident when we have the ball, we will play our game – like we did against Liverpool.”

Michael Jones11 December 2021 11:50

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in