Injury time Stones header earns City victory at Wolves on a landmark afternoon

The hosts had taken an early lead at Molineux thanks to a fifth minute strike from Jorgen Strand Larsen.

But City – who dominated territory and possession in the Black Country – hit back to level thanks to a stunning 32nd minute 20-yard effort from Josko Gvardiol.

Pep Guardiola’s side were also denied by a series of superb saves by Wolves keeper Jose Sa.

But just as it appeared we would have to settle for a share of the spoils, Stones powered home a dramatic 95th minute header - the goal awarded after a lengthy VAR check after initially having being disallowed for offside.

The result also meant City set a new Club landmark of going 31 games unbeaten in the Premier League.

What happened

There may have been 15 days since City’s last outing due to the October international break, but Guardiola’s troops were soon straight back into our rhythm, dominating possession and territory.

Yet it was the hosts who struck first via their opening attack of the game on seven minutes as City were again forced to come from behind.

Wolves moved the ball wide to the waiting Nelson Semedo on the right flank as they crossed into the City half for the first time in the game.

The winger made the most of his space, whipping in a superb, inviting cross which cut out three City defenders and was met by Jorgen Strand Larsen, the Norwegian striker making no mistake from eight yards out.

It was another early setback for City this term but there was almost an immediate response with Wolves keeper Jose Sa needing to be alert to deny Bernardo Silva as he dived to his right producing a stunning save to palm away a goal bound shot.

At the other end, City were then indebted to Ederson on 19 minutes with the Brazilian keeper standing tall and alert to block Semedo after another lightning counter-attack by the hosts breached the visitors’ defence.

However, was still City camped predominantly in the hosts half with Pep’s men faced by a wall of gold and black.

Jeremy Doku threw off his shackles on the left flank to ping in an inviting cross on the half but Craig Dawson was there to hack clear as Erling Haaland waited to pounce.

But it felt as if a reply was inevitable – and it duly arrived on 32 minutes in quite magnificent fashion through Gvardiol.

Receiving the ball just outside the Wolves box, the Croatian took one touch before unleashing a stunning 20-yard right footed strike.

Sa got a hand to it but Gvardiol’s effort was just too good, arrowing into the top right corner of the net for what was the Croatian’s second league goal of the season.

The Wolves keeper then produced another huge save on the stroke of half time, diving low to his right to somehow claw away a Savinho shot that looked to have goal written all over it.

With Doku and Savinho having switched flanks at restart, a wave of maroon continued to bear down on Wolves.

Sa produced more heroics on 54 minutes to keep out a low, skidding Ruben Dias effort.

City keep pushing forward with Phil Foden and Jack Grealish amongst those thrown into the fray.

And deep into stoppage time, City’s never say die spirit was rewarded when Stones - just as he did against Arsenal last month - struck in decisive fashion.

Stones’ header was initially disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision.

The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review with Chris Kavanagh overturning his original decision and the goal was awarded, sparking scenes of jubilation amongst the City players and fans.

Teams

WOLVES: Sa, Semedo, Dawson, Bueno, Toti, Ait-Nouri, J. Gomes, Andre, Lemina, Cunha (Forbs 67), Strand Larsen (Guedes 80)

Subs: Bentley, Doherty, R. Gomes, Doyle, Sarabia, Bellegarde, Lima

CITY XI: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Dias (c), Gvardiol, Kovacic (Nunes 86), Gundogan, Bernardo, Savinho (Grealish 74), Doku (Foden 67), Haaland

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Ake, Akanji, O’Reilly, McAtee

Record breakers

Today’s win meant City have chalked up another notable Club record.

It means we have now gone 31 games unbeaten in the Premier League - (W25 D6) – which constitutes the longest run in our league.

It’s yet another magnificent achievement and one which further underlines the class and consistency produced by Guardiola’s side.

In terms of overall English top-flight history, on only six occasions has a side gone more than 31 matches without losing, most recently Liverpool’s run of 44 games from January 2019 to February 2020.

Teen spirit 

The trip to Molineux also proved to be a notable afternoon for Rico Lewis.

The Academy graduate was handed another starting berth by Guardiola.

It was the England international’s 25th league start with City - and in the process Rico became the first teenager to start 25 league games across Pep’s storied managerial reign.

A landmark that speaks volumes both in regards to his talent and temperament as well as the trust with which the boss places in him.

Unbeaten

Following this weekend’s results City also returned back to Manchester armed with another telling statistic.

Pep Guardiola’s men are now the only side in the 92 strong English professional pyramid still unbeaten in the league.

Given the fiercely competitive nature of the top flight that say so much about the spirit and desire of the side.

Star man

That brilliant goal capped another fine all-round display by Josko Gvardiol.

The Croatian was a veritable tower of strength at the back but also added an extra dimension when City powered forward.

And his brilliant goal – his second league strike of the season – set the seal on another eye catching performance from the 24 year old.

JOHN STONES reaction

We have been trying super hard to improve our set pieces and make the most of them. Today was a new focus and attitude towards them.

Hopefully this is the start of many more. It is a vital part of the game at both ends of the pitch and really pleasing for me personally to get the winner after such a difficult game.

I thought it had been chalked off. I tried to speak to the ref but he had a lot of people around him. For me it is the right call. Obviously I am going to be biased but I think it should stand.

Pep reaction 

We are not used to winning games at the end, like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool it many times happened. It is a good flavour for us.

Of course I didn’t understand it. Linesman, I don’t know the reason why he did it. but Bernardo [Silva] isn’t disturbing the position. It was difficult in the first moment.

Today in modern football they starve the keeper. In the moment what happened [Jose] Sa had the perfect vision. The taker from Phil [Foden] and the header [by John Stones] were magnificent.

What it means

City remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and the professional English game.

We briefly went top but Liverpool later regained pole position after a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Second placed City now have accrued 20 points from our eight games to date with Liverpool on 21 points.

What’s next

City are back in action on Wednesday evening when we return to Champions League action.

Pep’s side play host to Sparta Prague at the Etihad, with kick-off slated for 20.00pm (UK).

Our next Premier League assignment is at home to Southampton next Saturday for a 15.00pm (UK) kick-off.

WATCH: Brief highlights: Wolves 1-2 City