Manchester City 1-0 Wolves: Kevin De Bruyne's first half strike secures crucial win for hosts in race to qualify for the Champions League
Share this @internewscast.com

Neil Warnock was around recently to have a conversation with Pep Guardiola. He returned on Thursday to observe a training session at Guardiola’s invitation. Curiously, he was present again on Friday night, seated next to Guardiola’s most trusted associate.

The guy cannot stay away and was apparently something of a celebrity at training, Erling Haaland begging for a picture. 

Despite what might seem like an improbable friendship, Warnock and Guardiola share a strong rapport. Now at 54, Manchester City’s manager is approaching a phase that aligns him with more seasoned leaders and his view of the game resonates with those of his predecessors.

City’s challenges and their push for the Champions League could have coerced others to take a break, but Guardiola bore this season’s strains as Wolves pursued a late tie. His expression was tense, and he was filled with apprehensive cries. 

These are all must win at the moment and City’s year, and extravagance of summer rebuild in the transfer market, is still on a knife-edge.

Man City beat Wolves 1-0 in what was a big win in the race to qualify for the Champions League

Man City beat Wolves 1-0 in what was a big win in the race to qualify for the Champions League

Kevin De Bruyne's goal in 35th minute was enough as he continued his impressive form

Kevin De Bruyne’s goal in 35th minute was enough as he continued his impressive form

De Bruyne finished past Jose Sa after he was set up following good work from Jeremy Doku

De Bruyne finished past Jose Sa after he was set up following good work from Jeremy Doku

Having Warnock around for some crisis management is therefore no bad idea and it was the ultimate golden oldie – Kevin De Bruyne – who made sure City would have their feet up in relative comfort over the weekend.

There has been a heartening sustain to the protests, organised by three fan groups, inside and out of this stadium in recent weeks.

Supporters staged another demonstration, thousands staying on the concourse for the opening six minutes as a way of showing displeasure at the club’s ticket prices and policies.

Watching them wander down the steps to their seats was a spectacle. And it is heartening irrespective of whether they are right or wrong to claim the concessions City have already made on future tickets is not enough.

That supporters are expressing themselves en masse with organisation – both protests and negotiation in meetings – can only be a good thing for English football and there will be quite a few noticing what’s been going on here recently with great interest.

Similar can be said of Wolves and Vitor Pereira. 

An eye-catching six for them too, wins on the spin and safety that saw their manager declare: ‘I can do magic.’

Not many would argue with that and they ought to have been two clear by the time De Bruyne was bouncing in Jeremy Doku’s cut back 10 minutes before the break. 

Their victory was watched on by Neil Warnock, who was a hit among City's players this week

Their victory was watched on by Neil Warnock, who was a hit among City’s players this week

Wolves missed some huge chances, including when Marshall Munetsi failed to tap home

Wolves missed some huge chances, including when Marshall Munetsi failed to tap home

Matheus Cunha also hit the post during the clash as Wolves put the hosts under pressure

Matheus Cunha also hit the post during the clash as Wolves put the hosts under pressure

Pep Guardiola's side rose to third after a big victory in their push for the Champions League

Pep Guardiola’s side rose to third after a big victory in their push for the Champions League

Remarkably, De Bruyne became only the second player, behind Lionel Messi, to reach 250 goal involvements under Guardiola. 

Wolves will believe that he should not have been left alone inside the box and that they ought to have been clear. 

Marshall Munetsi had performed his finest Gazza impression, agonisingly failing to connect when sliding onto Nelson Semedo’s centre, while Rayan Ait-Nouri struck a post and saw Josko Gvardiol block his follow up on the line. 

Wolves menaced on the break and their travelling fans mercilessly jeered ex-midfielder (and now City right back, of course) Matheus Nunes with every touch.

City came back out sluggishly, Nunes needing to be alert in swooping to stop Munetsi breaking clear, while Matheus Cunha hammered the returning Ederson’s right-hand post. 

Munetsi wanted a penalty when grappling with Gvardiol.

The earlier goal owed much to Bernardo Silva, whose performances have continued to improve with City’s recent upturn. 

Erling Haaland had returned to the bench ahead of schedule but he was unused on the night

Erling Haaland had returned to the bench ahead of schedule but he was unused on the night

Jeremy Doku put in a lively display after starting a league game for the first time in a month

Jeremy Doku put in a lively display after starting a league game for the first time in a month

Silva tenaciously won possession on halfway and that has been then hallmark of his displays in central midfield, where the Portuguese now looks more at home. 

Silva’s unseen tracking of runners prevented Wolves from really taking control of this. 

Always one of Guardiola’s favourite sons – maybe even the chosen one – Silva had as much influence in and out of possession as anyone.

Even with that nous, this felt nervous for the hosts, desperate to capitalise on Nottingham Forest’s slip 24 hours earlier, and typically it was Silva who hooked from under his own posts in stoppage time to preserve the points.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tottenham’s £55m Pursuit of Mohammed Kudus: The Dilemma and Thomas Frank’s Unwavering Interest by MATT BARLOW

The last time Mohammed Kudus was seen at Tottenham he was disappearing…

Jordan Henderson makes a surprise comeback to the Premier League, joining a new club on a free transfer after leaving Ajax early and ending his challenging stint in Saudi Arabia.

Jordan Henderson is set to sign for Brentford after his early release…

Why Conor McGregor Hasn’t Tied the Knot with Longtime Partner Dee Devlin After 16 Years Amid New Allegations and Cheating Scandal

Conor McGregor has offered up a variety of reasons for why he…

Leaked: Barcelona’s Mamba 2025/26 Away Kit Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant

Barcelona’s 2025/26 away kit is expected to launch in the coming weeks,…

Wayne Rooney Lands Lucrative Contract for New Position

Wayne Rooney has reportedly signed a big-money deal to become a regular…

Striker’s Relationship with Manager Strained After Newcastle Hands No. 9 Shirt to Record Signing

Few shirts in English football weigh heavier than Newcastle’s No.9 and once…

Liverpool’s Six Alternative Striker Options if Alexander Isak Deal Falls Through – Includes Surprise Premier League Name, Aston Villa Pursues Man United Player, and Arsenal Competes for EFL Talent in Transfer Update

LIVERPOOL have explored moves for a number of high-profile centre forwards over…

Inside Tom Brady’s Impact in Birmingham: The Motivational Speech That Defeated Wrexham, His Innovative Training Regimen, and Wedding Day Phone Calls

The ping of a smartphone is perhaps the most familiar sound in…

Nottingham Forest Transfer Updates: Latest on Morgan Gibbs-White, Key Players at Risk of Leaving, and Potential Wingers to Succeed Anthony Elanga

Nottingham Forest are furious with Tottenham Hotspur over their approach for Morgan…

Noni Madueke Poised to Become Chelsea’s Sixth Player Transfer to Arsenal in Seven Years: Will the Blues Profit Again After Earning £142m from Past Deals?

The London pipeline from Chelsea to Arsenal continues. It centres on a…