Wolves Fans' Verdict v Manchester City: A valiant effort in a tough away trip

Even in our recent history, trips to City have had some jeapody and thoughts of damage limitation. Many a time we'd have even taken a 0-1. Not this time though, instead it was a challenge to relish. Our form and confidence were in a good place so to lose, having played the way we did, was disappointing.

The first half saw a great chance for Bellegarde, he should have shot and scored, or made a better pass so Munetsi scored. Ait-Nouri had two attempts where he too might have scored. 

Meanwhile the first time Doku was not faced by Semedo saw his cross lead to a goal. Fine margins at both ends, all going against us, and the game was lost.

It is hard not to feel bitter seeing constant fouls when we had a chance to attack - one of Pep's innovations that have helped them over the years - not punished appropriately, even when they delay our taking of the free kick's. 

Weak and inconsistent refereeing,  nothing new there, just annoying when it is so blatant, and effective, in close games like these.

We put in an excellent team effort, winning headers and tackles in our half and stifling their threats. Our form was good and we were definitely there to compete.

We were still in the game right until the very end despite our second half not being as good in the attacking third except when Cunha hit the post.

The loss of Larsen was perhaps a blessing with Bellegarde being more physical and combative when we were out of possession. The downside was our lack of a number nine. Munetsi has lots to learn playing that role in the PL. His work-rate is a strength but he needs that Vardy-esque style of 'winning' freekicks to offer us more.

Defensively we saw Sa looking confident coming off his line while Agbadou and MOTM Toti both looked solid throughout. It is hard to look at this VP side and not think we look better organised, solid defensively, good without the ball while having an attacking threat too. Even the phrase 'identity' is being used - who and what does that all remind us of?

John Lalley

Manchester City have and will in the future dominate possession against better teams than Wolves. A simple statement of fact. They hogged the ball on Friday evening as expected, but any notion that they outclassed and totally outplayed Wolves doesn’t follow, because they didn’t. 

Wolves despite enduring long periods of keep-ball from City could – and it wouldn’t have been undeserved - have taken a positive result from this game. Wolves admirably kept a rigid defensive shape, showed excellent levels of concentration and organisation to ensure that Ederson in the City goal endured as many hairy moments as Jose Sa did in ours. 

A rare Andre misjudgement left the line slightly fractured and the result was settled. Wolves should have been in front before this happened; the Bellegarde / Munetsi break should have broken the deadlock and Ait-Nouri was desperately unlucky when he hit the post with Ederson static. City did exert pressure up to half time once De Bruyne had scored, but there’s backbone and a stiff resistance in this Wolves’ outfit and with Agbadou and Toti admirably physical and robust all evening, Sa remained untroubled. 

In the second period, Wolves remained patient and diligent waiting for their chance as City weaved their intricate patterns. And sure enough, the chance did arrive; Cunha, as only he can, was left loitering aimlessly it appeared until he unleashed from distance and rattled the post with Ederson groping. 

Even at the death, Guedes on the right got round the City defence and crossed sumptuously into an unguarded six-yard box. No takers in a gold shirt for a certain goal. Maybe the absent Strand-Larsen would have obliged. 

Moral victories are a figment of the imagination and I was brassed off at losing, but leaving The Etihad I couldn’t help being chuffed just the same. In similar circumstances pre-Christmas, we would have capitulated but not now; instead, we didn’t concede an inch. It really does augur well; Pereira’s post-match pride in his team was well founded.

Adam Virgo

A valiant effort in a very tough away game and on another day we come away with at least a point. It’s gutting that the winning and unbeaten streak has come to an end but still so many positives to take from the game.

For the first 30 mins we were defending really well and countering Man City brilliantly. A better pass from Bellegarde when we were through on goal and it’s an easy tap in for Munetsi but the through ball from Cunha originally was exquisite.

Cunha involved again for the Ait-Nouri chances but he was very unlucky to hit the post and then see his rebound cleared off the line. After this we didn’t create too much else and De Bruyne’s goal was a real sucker punch for us.

Man City away is a difficult game for most sides, even more so when you’re behind in the game. We found it difficult to do much in the second half, we had some half chances but just couldn’t get any real sort of foothold at all but no fault in the effort.

Hopefully we can end the last three games positively and take some momentum into next season because Vitor has done absolute wonders since coming in. It’s nice that we can play with some freedom now and you can definitely see that with how we are playing at times.