Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Manchester City
Manchester City opened their account with a victory over Wolves at Molineux tonight, though it wasn’t all plain sailing after the slow –starting hosts turned on the style in the second half.
Pep Guardiola’s side had a clean slate before this match and they will be relentless in their pursuit of another Premier League title; and from the moment Kevin de Bruyne gave them an early lead from the penalty spot it looked like they would sweep Wolves aside, which they did in the first half as Phil Foden doubled their lead. But the hosts fought back and Raul Jimenez’ late goal made it a nervy finish until Gabriel Jesus scored deep into injury time.
With Liverpool, Leicester and Arsenal all starting with two wins; the pressure was on the Sky Blues, who didn’t want the early Premier League 2020 results to leave them trailing the leaders, particularly Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. A five or six-point gap, even with a game in hand would not have looked healthy; but Peps boys dug in to win and they mean business.
Highlights of the game
City came flying out of the blocks and laid siege to the Wolves penalty area in the opening minutes, and Kevin de Bruyne struck a well hit 25 yard free-kick which Rui Patricio did well to save. But it didn’t take long for the Sky Blues to get up and running and it was the PFA Player of the Year who made and scored the goal.
De Bruyne ran at the Wolves defence but was heading too wide to pose a serious threat until Romain Saiss slid in with a late and unnecessary challenge, just inside the penalty area, giving the referee little option but to point to the spot. De Bruyne climbed to his feet and slammed the ball to Patricio’s left and out of the keeper’s reach.
The Sky Blues were in the mood for more and after a brilliant move involving Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus, Sterling stung Patricio’s palms with an angled drive. And just after the half-hour City doubled their lead with some slick football, a quick passing move which sent Sterling towards the bi-line and he pulled the ball back for Foden to stroke home.
Patricio was on hand to stop City making it three, just before the break, saving well from De Bruyne’s angled shot, and from the resulting corner, Rodri fired a fizzing shot just wide of the upright.
The pattern continued at the start of the second half and De Bruyne slid a perfect pass through to Jesus who, under pressure from Conor Coady, hit his shot well but straight at Patricio. Then Wolves finally came alive and took the game to their visitors with a string of attacks. Daniel Podence came close with a shot on the turn which whistled narrowly wide of the upright, and moments later Podence dummied a ball which fell to Ruben Neves, but his weak shot was cleared off the line by Fernandinho. Then, on the hour, Pedro Neto crossed for Raul Jimenez but the Mexican sent his shot wide.
After a turbulent few minutes, the visitors steadied the ship and began to take control again, and Jesus had the ball in the net on 71 minutes but was flagged offside. But the Wolves were not to be beaten easily and they halved the deficit on 78 minutes with a well-constructed goal. The excellent Podence beat De Bruyne before sending a superb ball across the penalty area which Jimenez powered home giving Ederson no chance.
But that was as close as Wolves came, and City had the last say when De Bruyne harried the Wolves defence to win the ball and feed Jesus who fired home.
Key statistics
The sale of Diogo Jota to Liverpool has left Wolves a little lighter in attack and in the first half they did nothing but defend. But inspired by Podence the hosts fought back and eventually had ten shots, though only one was on target while nine of City’s 14 shots were on the mark.
The Sky Blues’ victory ended a run of three games without a win against Wolves who did the double in this fixture last term.
And Manchester City are now the first team to win ten opening Premier League fixtures in a row.
What’s next?
Next up the Sky Blues are in Carabao Cup action against former Premier League outfit Bournemouth. City are the favourites to win the competition at odds of 3.50, here at SBOTOP, with Chelsea and Liverpool in pursuit at 9.00.
Spurs at 10.90 may be worth a look; with the return of Gareth Bale, added to head coach Jose Mourinho’s ability to collect silverware, making the Whites a more likely prospect.
After their cup date, Guardiola’s team have a big Premier League clash against Leicester City next weekend. The Foxes are on the run already with two wins from two, beating Burnley 4-2 on Sunday. The early season Premier League 2020 betting odds have the Sky Blues favourites to win the league also, and if they see off Leicester that will give their fans real belief.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has the week off because they went out of the Cup to Stoke City, and so they have more preparation time for a visit to West Ham next Sunday. The Hammers have started the season with two defeats and are already under pressure.
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