Manchester City's winning goal deep into injury time against Wolverhampton Wanderers was initially disallowed, but after intervention from the VAR, referee Chris Kavanagh reversed his decision. Unsurprisingly, the reigning champions were in full agreement with the outcome.
John Stones’ decisive goal in Manchester City’s clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers was initially ruled out for offside, causing a brief moment of uncertainty for both the team and fans.
However, upon review, the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) determined that Bernardo Silva had not interfered with play or obstructed the goalkeeper’s line of sight. Although Silva had made contact with Wolves’ goalkeeper José Sá during the buildup, the video footage clearly showed that he was onside at the time. As a result, referee Chris Kavanagh overturned his original decision, and Stones’ goal was allowed to stand. The ruling brought relief to the Manchester City camp, where tensions had been running high in the final moments of the game.
Reflecting on the incident, John Stones admitted that he had braced himself for the goal to be disallowed. "I thought the goal would be ruled out, but after seeing the replay, I think it’s the right decision," Stones told the BBC with a smile. "Of course, I’m biased. We’ve been putting in a lot of work on our set-pieces during training, and I hope this goal is just the beginning of many more to come." Stones’ contribution was a critical one, showcasing not only his defensive capabilities but also his threat in attacking situations, particularly from set-pieces where City have increasingly focused their efforts.
Pep Guardiola, City's manager, shared his player’s relief but expressed his confusion over the initial offside call. "I didn’t understand why the assistant referee flagged," Guardiola said in his post-match interview. "I don’t know what he saw, but it didn’t make sense. Bernardo Silva didn’t block the keeper’s view, and in modern football, goalkeepers are protected too much. José Sá had a perfect view of the ball, and the goal should never have been questioned in the first place." Guardiola's comments highlighted his frustration with what he sees as overly cautious officiating when it comes to protecting goalkeepers in today’s game.
On the other side of the pitch, Wolves’ head coach Gary O’Neil was left fuming, though he tried to maintain his composure when speaking about the decision. "It reminded me of a goal we had disallowed last season against West Ham United," O'Neil said. "In that match, we even showed the referee a photo proving that their keeper had a clear view of the shot, but the goal was still chalked off. So, I can understand why this one was allowed to stand, but it’s hard to take." O’Neil, clearly frustrated, refrained from dwelling too much on the VAR decision. "I don’t want to make excuses," he continued. "Whatever decision they make, I respect it. But for us, it was a tough call. We missed a golden opportunity for a positive result today, and I feel for the players. They worked hard, and leaving with nothing is hard to swallow."
For Wolves, the defeat was especially bitter as a draw would have doubled their points tally, giving them a much-needed boost in their fight to escape the relegation zone. "It’s tough," O'Neil admitted. "But I’m proud of the players. We defended well and had our chances, but we couldn’t quite get the result we needed." Despite their valiant efforts, Wolves remain in a precarious position near the bottom of the Premier League table. O'Neil remains determined to stay calm and guide his team out of danger, but the pressure is undoubtedly mounting.
The match itself was a classic example of a dominant performance from Manchester City, yet it was far from a walk in the park. Guardiola’s side controlled almost every aspect of the game, managing over twenty shots and maintaining nearly 80% possession. They completed an impressive 539 successful passes, which showcased their relentless pursuit of a breakthrough. However, despite the overwhelming statistics in their favor, City found themselves needing a wonder goal and a well-executed corner to secure the victory.
Defender Joško Gvardiol praised Wolves for their stubborn defense, acknowledging that breaking them down was no easy task. "We have to give Wolves credit," Gvardiol said. "I don’t understand how they manage to defend for so many minutes and then suddenly sprint to the other side to attack." Wolves’ counter-attacking threat caused City problems throughout the match, and Gvardiol's words highlighted the challenge of breaking down a compact and disciplined team that was willing to defend in numbers.
Guardiola also recognized the difficulty of playing against a team that defended with such intensity. "We have a lot of players with great quality up front, but with so many players packed into the box, it’s tough to find space and play our usual game," Guardiola said. "They defended aggressively and strongly. Last season, we lost here, so we were well aware of the challenge we faced today. Wolves have done well against other top teams like Arsenal and Liverpool this season, so we knew it wouldn’t be easy." Guardiola’s comments reflected the respect he has for Wolves’ defensive resilience, even though City eventually found a way to win.
In the end, City’s patience and persistence paid off, with Stones’ goal proving decisive in yet another hard-fought victory for the Premier League champions. The win keeps them in the title race, but it also serves as a reminder of how difficult it is to break down teams that prioritize defense over attack. As City continue their campaign, Guardiola will undoubtedly be looking to fine-tune his team’s ability to break down defensive-minded opponents, while Wolves will be hoping to turn their solid performances into points to help lift them out of the relegation zone.
