Defender Stones gave City the victory over Wolverhampton

The best attack in the English Championship, Manchester City was held back most of the time by the team with the worst defense in the competition, but managed a goal in the 50th minute of the second half to beat Wolverhampton 2-1 this Sunday.

With the result, the Manchester team provisionally took the lead over the English with 20 points. Liverpool is 18 and will play the classic against Chelsea this Sunday. Wolverhampton are at the bottom with just one point.

The goal that gave City the lead was only confirmed after a VAR review. After a corner taken from the right by Folden, defender Stones rose and headed the ball past goalkeeper José Sá.

Bernardo Silva was isolated, in an offside position, and knelt in front of the Wolverhampton goalkeeper as he finished. As, in the referee’s opinion, he did not interfere in the play, the goal was validated.

With almost 80% possession of the ball at the beginning of the game, Manchester City were surprised in the 8th minute. Coach Guardiola’s team was marking high and left space for Semedo to advance on the right side. The Portuguese crossed into the area, and striker Larson finished strongly into Ederson’s right corner to make it 1-0.

Soon after, the visitors managed their first shot towards goal. Bernardo Silva finished into the left corner of José Sá, Wolverhampton goalkeeper, who made a great save.

Manchester City continued to control possession, but failed to define the plays, when they were generally blocked. Well placed in defense, Wolverhampton bet on counterattacks and almost reached the second goal.

Brazilian Matheus Cunha noticed Semedo’s infiltration through the center and launched the Portuguese, who advanced at speed and touched Ederson’s exit. City’s Brazilian goalkeeper sent it to a corner.

Manchester City suffocated Wolverhampton. In certain parts of the game, the team had 90% possession of the ball. Infiltration into the area, however, was difficult and when it happened, the defense managed to destroy the play before it was finished.

The Belgian Doku was used a lot on the left side, but he almost always faces a direct marker and another on the left. It was on the left that City equalized in the 33rd minute.

Once again, Doku received the ball near the box and found himself facing two markers. He played for Gvardiol, a little further back. The Croatian shot with a right, and the ball went high towards José Sá’s left corner. The goalkeeper even touched the ball with his right hand, but it was insufficient to take it away from the goal.

It was only the second shot towards the visitors’ goal. The first half ended in a tie on the scoreboard and there was no equality in the number of correct shots because in stoppage time the Brazilian Savinho managed a low shot into the right corner. José Sá made another important save.

Manchester City returned for the second half and the articulations on the left side continued, but now mainly with the Brazilian Savinho, who was looking for plays from the bottom line. Doku went to play on the right.

With Wolverhampton’s area congested, City managed to reach danger for the first time in the second half, in the 9th minute, again with a long-range finish. Defender Ruben Dias shot low into the left corner of José Sá, who sent it to the corner. Wolverhampton also managed to respond with a shot from distance. Matheus Cunha finished the counterattack by sending it out, to the left of Ederson’s goal.

Guardiola, Manchester City coach, tried to change this situation by changing the wingers. Folden replaced Doku and Grealish replaced Savinho. Submissions inside the box, however, were rare.

The English’s top scorer, with 10 goals, striker Haaland barely appeared in the game. Tucked between the opposing defenders, he barely touched the ball. Without the Norwegian’s effectiveness, Manchester City counted on Stones’ second goal to turn the game around and reach the top of the table.

In the next round of the English Championship, on Saturday, Manchester City will host Southampton. On the same day, Wolverhampton visits Brighton. Before returning to the local championship, City faces Sparta Prague, in the Champions League, at their stadium.