Liam Keen comment: Missing striker and lack of bench impact led to Wolves defeat

In a show of togetherness, Vitor Pereira and his players still approached the away end arm in arm at the end of the game, as focus now turns to the remaining three fixtures this season.

Run over

Coming into the fixture, Wolves had a chance to equal their best ever top fight winning run of seven games from 1946.

Although it seemed unlikely they would manage that at the Etihad, they should have taken the lead on the night.

Matheus Cunha's sensational pass put Jean-Ricner Bellegarde through on goal and he should have taken a shot. Failing that, he cannot make a mess of his pass to Marshall Munetsi and he did just that.

It was too far in front of his team-mate and had too much pace on it and the chance was gone.

Rayan Ait-Nouri also hit the post before having his follow-up cleared off the line by Josko Gvardiol and it would not be Wolves' night as Cunha also hit the post in the second half.

The manner of the goal they conceded was disappointing too as Andre lost the ball needlessly in midfield.

It was a poor watch from two sides that were not at their best and Wolves must now put it behind them as they tackle the final three matches.

Missing link

Jorgen Strand Larsen's omission with a groin injury was a surprise when the teams were announced and his loss was felt by Wolves.

Not only for his goals - scoring six in his last six games - but what he is bringing to the team on and off the ball.

Larsen is improving at holding the ball up and battling with physical defenders and without his focal point on Friday night, Wolves' forwards were isolated.

Bellegarde tried, Munetsi worked hard and Cunha came close but the trio did not link up successfully and missed Larsen occupying the centre-backs.

Cunha is a fantastic player but not a number nine and he had to be reminded during the first half by Pereira in the dugout about the positions he needed to be taking up. Wolves also missed having him on the left flank.

The club will need better solutions for missing players next season so that losing one attacker to injury does not make such a huge difference to the side.

Bench impact

During a game in which Wolves were struggling for much attacking output, changes from the bench were needed to inject some life into it and Pereira tried everything.

Unfortunately for him, not a lot of it worked.

Rodrigo Gomes offered some threat from right-wing-back, while Pablo Sarabia took up some intelligent positions in-between the lines, but overall Wolves' substitutes did not take their opportunity to change the game.

Goncalo Guedes and Hwang Hee-chan were the other two attacking changes - two players who have uncertain futures at Wolves going into the summer - but neither made an impact.

Granted, it is tough when they were only given a few minutes on the pitch, but it was an opportunity nonetheless.

For next season, that squad depth and squad balance will be an important area for the club to address to ensure Wolves are not in a relegation battle in 2025/26.