In a heart-stopping moment that sent the Etihad Stadium into raptures, Manchester City’s John Stones headed home a 95th-minute winner against a resilient Wolves side on Sunday. The dramatic 2-1 victory, albeit mired in controversy, briefly propelled City to the summit of the Premier League table before being overtaken by Liverpool later in the day.
For City manager Pep Guardiola, last-gasp winners aren’t exactly part of his side’s regular repertoire. In his post-match comments, the Spaniard candidly admitted, “We are not used to winning games at the end, like Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool where it happened many times. It is a good flavour for us.”
A Tale of Persistence and Patience
Facing a Wolves team fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation, City found themselves in the unfamiliar position of chasing the game after conceding an early goal. Undeterred, the reigning champions stuck to their guns, monopolizing possession and relentlessly probing the Wolves defense for openings.
With 11 players in the penalty spot, literally it is so difficult. But we were patient … We are who we are and that is so nice.
Pep Guardiola on his team’s approach
Guardiola’s men enjoyed a staggering 78% of the ball, patiently probing and prodding until Stones’ late intervention. The Catalan tactician praised his players’ composure and adherence to their philosophy, even when faced with a staunch rearguard action.
Controversial Climax
The euphoria of the late winner was briefly dampened by referee Chris Kavanagh’s initial decision to disallow the goal due to Bernardo Silva’s proximity to Wolves keeper José Sá. However, a lengthy VAR review overturned the on-field call, deeming that the Portuguese midfielder did not impede Sá’s line of sight.
Bernardo isn’t disturbing the position … Sá had the perfect vision. The taker from Phil [Foden] and the header were magnificent.
Guardiola on the decisive goal
While sympathetic to Wolves’ heartbreak, Guardiola pointed out the harsh realities of top-flight football, saying, “We have been in that position, when you lose at the end. But this is the game.”
Injury Concerns and Look Ahead
Amidst the joy of the hard-fought win, City were dealt a blow with injuries to key players Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne. Guardiola expressed doubts over their availability for the upcoming Champions League clash against Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
For match-winner Stones, the goal was a moment to savor and a testament to the team’s work on set-pieces. The England defender voiced his hope that this would be the start of many more crucial goals, emphasizing their importance at both ends of the pitch.
As the dust settles on this pulsating encounter, Manchester City will undoubtedly relish the “good flavour” of a last-minute winner. While not their usual modus operandi, Guardiola and his charges will take heart from their ability to grind out a result in the face of adversity. With the Premier League title race heating up, such grit and determination could prove invaluable in their quest to retain the crown.
