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As it happenedended

Wolves vs Manchester City – as it happened: Hosts hold on for point in hard-fought draw against the champions

Re-live all the action from Molineux Stadium

Kishan Vaghela
Saturday 25 August 2018 06:50 EDT
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Wolves celebrate equalising against Manchester City
Wolves celebrate equalising against Manchester City (Getty)

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Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City visit Wolves in the day’s early kick-off in their bid to continue their 100% record after their victories against Arsenal and Huddersfield Town.

The champions have scored eight goals altogether in their victories at the Emirates and at home to the Terriers, and will look to add to that figure when they face the newly-promoted side to set the benchmark for their title rivals.

Wolves demonstrated the quintessential staunch resistance of promoted sides at home when they secured a 2-2 draw against Everton on the opening weekend. Nuno will hope that spirit will return after their ill-fated defeat at Leicester last weekend, where they hit the woodwork on two occasions.

Follow all the action below with our live blog:



What time does it start?

Wolves vs Manchester City kicks off at 12:30pm (BST).

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Premier League and Main Event channels. Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the match via the SkyGo app.

Highlights will be shown at 10:30pm on BBC One.

It’s a big game for…

Helder Costa: The 24-year-old Portuguese was hugely impressive in pre-season, but has so far been unable to replicate those displays in the Premier League. The winger failed to exploit gaps in the opposition defences against Everton and Leicester with his undeniable pace, and seems to be suffering from a lack of self-belief. The former Monaco man will be key in Wolves’ counter-attacking plan this weekend and will need to step up his performances in order to trouble the City defence.

One: Wolves have won just two of the 12 encounters with Manchester City this century, with their victories coming in October 2003 and October 2010, both of which were at Molineux.

Remember when…

The most famous encounter between the two sides probably occurred all the way back in March 1974, when the teams faced each other in the League Cup final. Wolves’ Kenny Hibbitt had given his side the lead a minute before the break, but Colin Bell equalised a minute before the hour mark. The game was decided by John Richards five minutes from time after he rifled home a deflected cut-back.

Player to watch…

Sergio Aguero – The Argentinian was hailed this week by Alan Shearer as the best foreign import the league has ever seen after he scored the ninth Premier League hat-trick of his Manchester City career against Huddersfield. The 30-year-old faces fierce competition at City but it seems that the threat is bringing out his best form, which is an ominous sign for the Molineux faithful.

(Getty
(Getty (Getty)

Past three-meetings…

Manchester City 0 Wolves 0 (Manchester City won 4-1 on penalties), League Cup, October 2017

Wolves 0 Manchester City 2 (Aguero, Nasri), Premier League, April 2012

Manchester City 3 (Dzeko, Kolarov, Johnson) Wolves 1 (Hunt pen), Premier League, October 2011

Form guide…

Wolves: DL

Manchester City: WWW

Odds…

Wolves to win: 10/1

Manchester City to win: 1/4

Draw: 27/5

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

Min 66: We saw very little of this from City last season, but they are allowing their fare share of counter-attacks, and it Wolves produces their next chance.

Ruben Neves drags his shot wide though from Jota's cut-back.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 13:54

GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Manchester City (Laporte 68)

The hosts' lead lasts all of twelve minutes. Gundogan has whipped in a few good deliveries today, but this one finds a target and the former Athletic Bilbao defender rises to power home.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 13:56

Min 72: City's equaliser has not deterred Nuno from making a positive, attacking change.

The Portuguese has decided to introduce Adama Traore in place of Helder Costa.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 13:59

Min 75: Guardiola has responded by making an attacking change of his own.

Germany's Leroy Sane is brought on as he replaces his fellow countryman Ilkay Gundogan.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 14:03

Min 76: What a save!

City's best chances this half have been created from crosses in wide areas, and Mendy gets into such a position.

His whipped cross falls to Jesus, but Patricio denies him from point-blank range.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 14:04

A crucial moment for the defender and his side.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 14:06

Min 81: Into the last ten minutes here at Molineux. Which way will this game swing?

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 14:08

Min 84: Joao Moutinho's high boot into David Silva finally allows both sides to make a change.

Guardiola makes a like-for-like change, bringing on Riyad Mahrez for Sterling, while Ruben Vinagre is sent on by Nuno for the struggling Otto.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 14:12

Min 88: Another Wolves break, another Wolves chance.

Adama Traore steams down the right-down side and his cross is collected by Jota, who fires over.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 14:15

Min 89: Vincent Kompany has become the first Belgian to make 250 Premier League appearances today, and he slides in to save a certain goal following another cross from Traore.

Vithushan Ehantharajah25 August 2018 14:16

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