Pep Guardiola’s Man City players face having to prove to their manager that they have the character to wrestle back the Premier League title from Arsenal today, with their gap to the leaders only increasing.
The Gunners host Manchester United later so City must be ready to pounce on any slip-ups, primarily by beating Wolves at the Etihad Stadium. This meeting has been little issue for the reigning champions in recent years, with five straight wins while scoring 16 goals.
Guardiola has decided to recall Kevin De Bruyne to his team following his suprise outburst in midweek, which included choice words for the homee fans following a comeback win at home to Spurs. They face a Wolves side out of the bottom three on goal difference alone, and enjoying some improvement under Julen Lopetegui. Follow Man City vs Wolves via Standard Sport’s live match blog!
Live updates
45+3 mins: Another goal-saving interception from Collins as he prevents Gundogan’s cross reaching Haaland with a key flick away from danger while on the stretch.
He’s kept Wolves in it – having very nearly conceded a penalty!
MAN CITY CHANCE!
45+2 mins: A swift counter reaches Grealish and Collins heads his effort off the line!
45 mins: De Bruyne swings one in from the left flank this time and gets too much on it for Haaland to leap for, goal kick.
Three minutes added on.
Penalty appeal!
43 mins: VAR wants a look at Collins leaving a leg on Grealish in the box.
It would be a surprise to see that overturned with the winger only really grazed by a trailing leg having beaten his man.
One of those VAR won’t, and probably shouldn’t, change – no matter the on-pitch call.
GGGOOOOAAALLLL!!!! Man City 1-0 Wolves
40 mins: DE BRUYNE TO HAALAND!
A cutback to the Belgian on the edge of the box and his cross is well guided into the far corner by Haaland.
Drought, what drought!?
37 mins: Rodri with superb positional play to drop back and turn Bueno’s cross away from the box, in what might justifiably be described as Wolves first proper attack.
Still, zero work for Ederson so far.
35 mins: That improved atmosphere called for by Guardiola has been okay.
The place is hardly bouncing with the away end raising the volume a bit amid sporadic chants from the home fans.
33 mins: Rodri launches a hit from 25 yards which flies a yard over the crossbar.
All City for pretty much every one of the 33 minutes we have played in Manchester.
30 mins: Gundogan next to pop up with a shot as Lewis crosses just behind the German, who heads over.
29 mins: De Bruyne looks a threat again with a pair of low deliveries into the box well repelled by the away defence, although Haaland had made the wrong run into the box.
A good hit by Grealish from range is then parried by Sa.
