Wolves' Fans Verdict v Manchester City: We went toe to toe with the Champions

Chris Hughes

What's your verdict on the match?

Well, wasn’t that exciting?!

Taking on the runaway champions of last season, fresh off the back of a thumping 6–1 victory last weekend, was a daunting prospect but a challenge we embraced without fear and with vigour.

While City, as expected, dominated possession we did very well in containing them and forcing them to play across the back line when they had the ball by pressing high up the pitch. When we did get the ball ourselves we did a good job of getting forward at pace and creating chances, though there were a good number of times that we gave the ball away cheaply without any real pressure that we could do with cutting out.

The first half highlights came from a disallowed goal for Jimenez that was rightly ruled out and two strikes against the woodwork from City within two minutes of that strike. The first a clean hit from Aguero that smacked the foot of the post, the second a strike from distance by Sterling that brought the best out of Patricio with an absolute world class save to tip the ball on to the cross bar.

After half-time City were well on top again but we caused problems on the counter attack. Costa had a great chance to put us ahead but seemed to lack the confidence in his ability to take a shot on and his extra touch allowed Ederson to close the angle and turn the ball away for a corner. The miss didn’t prove to be costly as, with a touch of fortune, Boly scored from the resulting corner. Replays showed he’d missed his header but the ball was turned home via his right hand. Goal given, Molineux rocking!

City continued to press and you felt it would be a good idea to bring on Traore to use his pace as an outlet for respite and to give City something to think about. He was introduced eventually but not until after City had levelled through a bullet header from Laporte to a wicked Gundogan free-kick delivery.

Resolute defending saw us through to full time and a well-deserved point after a performance that will give great optimism for our prospects for the remainder of the season.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

A solid performance all round but the standouts were Boly, who has finally arrived at Premier League level, and Bennett, who has had an excellent start to the season.

Costa had a great first half but faded a little after the break. Being able to bring on Traore to replace him wasn’t bad though and he gave a few glimpses of his ability in the 20 minute run out that will have fans salivating. Both of them had the beating of Mendy on several occasions during the game.

Natalie Wood

What's your verdict on the match?

Going toe to toe with the premier league champions, team really looking like they are starting to gel and Patricio showed what he can really do- hello near perfect Saturday!

I had no expectations for getting a result against Man City, in fact when we did our normal score prediction pre match I went for a positive 0-2. Not because I didn’t think we would work hard and put in a good performance but just because Man City are a class above most teams in the premier league and I just couldn’t see how a wolves team with such little premier league experience could get through Man City defence and more importantly how we could stop them!

The first half we worked our socks off, Man City came out full of confidence but we mainly managed to match them for style and confidence. Defensively we looked fantastic, willy Boly and Ryan Bennett in particular were fantastic, putting in some crucial blocks throughout the half. One of the key moments was Patricio’s save for Sterling’s volley- it was just world class and gets better every time you see it. We had some good chances, the obvious one being Jimenez putting the ball in the back of the net but to be honest Man City did look a lot more likely to score, going in to half time scoreless did seem like a great achievement.

Second half Man City came out in full control of the game and they really started to turn the screw in the first 10 minutes but a moment of class from Costa gave us the chance we needed. Costa had a superb game and had Kompany and co in his back picked for most the game. You could still see he is lacking a bit of confidence in front of goal and really should have scored but winning the corner was enough.

Now our goal....was it hand ball yes (although would it be classed as deliberate?!), would we loose our minds if someone had scored against us in that way...yes, do we care....no! Sometimes in this game you need a bit of luck and yesterday we got ours! Throughout the season there will be plenty of occasions when it will go against us so let’s just enjoy this moment! It was a great cross by Moutinho and Boly did well to get into the right position. Overall we did really deserve our lead but it was only a matter of time until City equalised!

It was clear they had worked out our overall weakness...defending set pieces...so the dramatic falls began and free kick after free kick ensued! What was great to see was even when City equalised we didn’t just park the bus to stop them, we took the game back to them.

For the game to finish 1-1 was a great result, thank god for the cross bar!! Our performance was a real warning sign to the rest of the league that we are a team to take seriously. For the first time there were signs of the team we could become in this league- we looked confident, organised and exciting to watch!

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

One of the biggest positives from the game for me would be our defensive play in general. Boly was an absolute man mountain, Bennett was again fantastic but the whole team played their part in stopping City. My man of the match would probably be Wily Boly but Helder Costa also stood out for a fantastic performance.

Traore coming on did inject some speed back into our game when it looked like we were fading. He helped create a couple of great chances with his mad runs, the biggest being is run down the wing and cross to Jota who did well but just couldn’t keep the ball down.

I think this game will be a real defining moment of our season that just shows the rest of the league what we can do!

Clive Smith

What's your verdict on the match?

So, our hardest home game of the season, survived. Tick that off. Nothing to fear here, move on. Phew. Part of me was dreading the game, City afterall have been on a different planet for quite a while now. We 'manned up' though with yet another improved performance. How pleasing was that to see!

The vocal support from three sides of the ground backed the side to the hilt and it had a real feel good factor and big match atmosphere about it. On the pitch there was a balance to keep, being patient and disciplined without the ball, but trying to force the game and move forward when with it. We played that well.

It was not a day for expansive football and our trademark long diagonal passes were scarce other than on goalkicks. When they were played it was to our wide attackers rather than our wing backs. Our play was more narrow and made up of shorter passes. By design perhaps, but also due to the City press often made up of two or three men, aimed at winning the ball back in our half.

Control and the first touch are vital in those situations and at times we were found out and lost the ball cheaply but mostly we managed to cope or fought hard to win the ball back quickly.

The woodwork was our enemy last week, this week our friend.

Playing 'alright' was never going to be good enough today, so it was very pleasing to see us perform better than that. Well done Wolves!

As for the referee decisions, Company could well have seen two yellow cards early on, Fernandinho seemed to be allowed to get away with constant fouls (in a way Kante does for Chelsea), yes the ball hit the hand of Boly, it was unintentional, even though the ball would probably not have gone in the goal without the touch.

He may well have given City a penalty as the streetwise players skilfully hit the ground under minimal contact.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

For the first time Patricio played at a higher level than Ruddy has on the past. A remarkable finger tip save kept out Stirling and a couple other good saves were made. MOTM. It is easy to understand why most of the top 6 have spent significantly on getting a top keeper.

Doherty had a lower profile game this week, although there was an assist with the goal. Still the go to guy from goalkicks he had a solid game in defence.

Likewise Jonny who constantly made his man turn inside rather than getting beaten round the back. Other teams get dragged to the by- line by City and find they are defending far too deep. We managed to avoid that mostly.

Our central defenders all had big games. Last ditch tackles, often from behind, were required. All three had their best game this season so far, with Bennett having possibly his best game in a Wolves shirt. Between them they won virtually all the headers in the box, sadly one they did not win, cost us a goal.

Neves continues to fit in at this higher level. With less time on the ball he still worked hard in the middle to win back possession. As with Moutinho the first touch is impressive. They are both similar players and recycle the ball well.

Costa and Jota ironically offered more of a threat while the team had less possession. They received the ball on a counter attack and going forward rather than often getting the ball while stationary. Their performance's today should improve their confidence.

Jimenez was again pleasing to watch. Quick with both feet his control is a cut above any other forward we have. It was no surprise he looked tired towards the end, he worked incredibly hard and used up plenty of energy. Over the whole of the three games so far he has been our most consistent 'good' player.

A cameo role for Traore was again full of pace and dribbles. His energy level is refreshing as those around him are looking tired.

Vinagre too got a few minutes late on.

Rob Cartwright

What's your verdict on the match?

A pulsating game where Wolves went toe-to-toe with City; the same City who have won 18 of their last 21 away games. It was end to end stuff with lots of great passages of play. A few contentious issues too. Both teams played with skill and pace. Wolves had a little luck which had evaded us at Leicester, last week. Man City players fall to the deck far too easily. Time after time they went to ground after the slightest touch. It drives me to despair. I thought the referee did well waving away numerous penalty appeals.

We were on the back foot for sure, but counter attacked with pace at every opportunity. The back three of Coady, Boly and Bennett stepped up and stayed strong. Moutinho and Neves were immense in midfield. What a partnership they will become (remember they’ve had just 3 games together).

Indeed, it was Wolves who had the ball in the net first. I thought Jimenez was excellent again, but he had no need to run offside before Jota crossed perfectly for a certain goal.

If anything, that gave us more belief and we went on to create a number of scoring chances in their box.

There was an element of luck with Boly’s header. I didn’t notice the arm from behind that goal, so no surprise the ref didn’t either. Interestingly, no City players appealed. Boly hid it well - straight from the training ground that one!

The lead didn’t last that long, and it was a result of our one weakness. The set piece. We use zonal marking with players usually in a straight line. It never fills me with confidence and this equaliser was a fairly routine header from the centre half.

Both teams had chances to win it, with City’s more clear cut. Aguero hit the bar deep into added time. A goal then would have been a travesty.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

This was an excellent team performance. A number of players stepped up from the opening two games. Patricio made some excellent saves; the one onto the bar, from Sterling, was exceptional. The back three were solid, other than at set pieces. The wing backs both did well. Moutinho and Neves were superb together. Jota and Costa showed up more too and both had their best games this season. Jimenez led the line so well. Great work rate and was finding space in and around their box so always looked a threat. He probably deserved a goal.

My Man of the Match goes to Moutinho, just!

We’ve played very well in our first three games. Results have not fully reflected that. We need wins in the next couple of games now- I expect they will.

Gulraj Kular (musingsfrommolineux.wordpress.com)

What's your verdict on the match?

Right from the start this game was going to hinge on the way Nuno approached it. I know he’s reticent when it comes to his media presence, but the ‘we never change’ line doesn’t exactly apply all the time.

The subtleties of our system allow for us to flex our approach for each opposition and while we operate in a 3-4-3 this can be adapted in many ways. This incarnation of Nuno’s Wolves was the most intense, purest form of counter-attack that I’ve seen.

The work rate of all was phenomenal and we transitioned excellently from our deeper defensive block into more fluid forward play. This Man City side will always create chances so it’s always important to maintain a threat and Raul Jimenez is crucial to this with his leading of the press. The confidence he displays - as well as the humility in his work rate - in pressing seasoned champions like Vincent Kompany led us to gain a foothold in the game and kept City on their toes throughout.

We thoroughly deserved a point, with some dogged defence, some excellent organisation and some enterprising counters. We were probably at our worst having scored, the adrenaline seemingly causing us to play entirely out of shape, but this was a performance belonging at the highest level. I have no doubt Pep will recall this as one of his toughest games come the end of this season.

And this is where we get to the real statement. Those happy to accept a low-scoring defeat or to just avoid being hammered were doing Nuno’s intelligence and his team’s intelligence a massive disservice. We have an excellent team and an excellent manager. They will find the solutions to the questions posed this season over the course of 38 games. This was a whole set of doubts laid to rest.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

The MOTM vote was a challenge and you really can’t fault any performance but Willy Boly produced a performance of real authority, capped by a goal.

Jonny’s efforts today should put to bed any lingering concerns over his ability to fill the Barry Douglas-shaped hole in the squad. He’s also very tidy going forward and looks to be developing a good relationship with Diogo Jota

Neves and Moutinho were again there to disprove the idea that they are ‘too similar’, exemplifying the humility of work rate and confidence to play in the team and Matt Doherty performed gamely, despite some of his passing going a little awry.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

What's your verdict on the match?

A very good point for us against the champions elect and it wasn't a fluke either. The City fans I spoke to after the game were full of praise for the way we played so it's smiles all round in the sunshiiine as Liam would say.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

An excellent performance from certain individuals but more importantly a team performance. Boly was back to his best whilst Jota and Costa both improved and had their best games of the season so far. A couple of great saves from Rui have us more belief but for me Johnny typified the ever growing belief in the team and ran himself into the ground.

Adam Virgo

What's your verdict on the match?

Champions of the Championship vs Champions of the Premier League, all the odds in Man City’s favour but luckily football isn’t played on paper. For 90 minutes we played as a team and earned a deserved point in the end, albeit with a bit of luck but after last weekend and with our performances so far this season, I think we earned it.

It was a complete different game to when we took City to penalties in the Carabao Cup last season, we were set up far more defensively in that game. What I loved about yesterday’s performance was us not sitting too deep like some teams do against the best side in England, we won the ball back in very good positions which allowed us to counter them very well.

So many people, even some of our own fans were writing us off before yesterday but we proved to everyone that anything can happen in football if you set up properly and stick to your game plan well for the entirety of the game, which we did.

Nuno set us up very well and you can tell that we were so much more solid defensively than we were in the first two games, plus we clearly analysed City’s weaknesses and exposed them fantastically when we had the opportunity.

No wolves fan will care that Boly’s goal hit his hand, it wasn’t intentional but at least we now have our very own “hand of God”. If the officials had saw it, I imagine they’d have disallowed it but it was a difficult spot and that’s football.

City’s goal, there was some doubt over whether Sterling dived to win the free kick but it was a fantastic delivery by Gundogan and Laporte timed his run well. Boly probably could have held his position a little better but with the quality of delivery and the pace on the ball, it wasn’t easy to deal with.

In the end a point was fair and I hope we can take huge confidence into next weekend against West Ham from our performance and result yesterday.

Who played well – and who didn't impress?

If I was to do a rating out of 10 for each player, no one would be below a 7 which goes to show that every player played well.

Man of the match for me was Willy Boly. He’s come in for some criticism, like a few others after the first two games. He was absolutely superb at both ends of the pitch yesterday, yes it was handball, unintentional though but he still scored the goal to put us ahead which was crucial against a side of City’s quality.

Defensively he saved us on numerous occasions, blocking a David Silva effort which was goal-bound and covering for Coady when Aguero got past him by stopping an almost certain goal. Back to being a rock in defence and hopefully we can see more of that from him this season.

Rui Patricio on a free transfer is still mind blowing and yesterday he proved why he’s one of the top rated goalkeepers in the world. He’s Portugal’s number one for a reason and my word he saved us a couple of times when needed.

That save from Sterling’s strike in the first half was absolutely unreal, the ball was moving away from him too so tip it onto the bar was incredible. The save from Jesus’ header could have easily gone through his legs, yes it was straight at him but I still feel like he did well considering how close the header was.

Jonny had Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker in his back pocket all game. Stopped them on that right hand side all game and no wonder why he went off with cramp because he put a serious shift in. Linking up with Jota too it was a good partnership we had and he’s been consistently good in our first three games, especially the last two with him venturing forward more. Defensively though he’s absolutely fantastic and you can see exactly why Atlético Madrid have bought him.

Costa and Jota both had much better games than the previous two and have both earned their right to start again next week. Adama might feel a little frustrated because both games he’s came on, he’s played very well. He ripped Mendy and Laporte apart a couple of times, his pace is too much and I can’t see many left backs being able to cope with him, especially coming off the bench.

Joao Moutinho for £5m is another steal. Him and Neves have such a good understanding of each other and they both won the ball back for us yesterday on numerous occasions. Not just that, they both read the game so well and won the ball in superb positions which allowed us to counter and when we won the ball, they were both always forward thinking with their passes which allowed us to get in behind on the counter.

They both controlled the game as much as they could and did a fantastic job. There’s not too many teams in the Premier League with a better midfield partnership than us and they are going to be integral to us for this season and how well we end up doing.

Bennett was superb again, all three games he’s defended very well and it’s not easy against the attacking prowess that City have.

Jimenez was full of running once again. Very unlucky that he was just offside for his goal but I can definitely see him hitting double figures for goals this season which would be a great return in his first season in the Premier League.

Coady and Doherty both put in a shift and played so much better than the previous two games. Both come in for a lot of stick and rightly so, it’s probably what they needed to make them step up, be better and improve their game, however there’s still room for improvement in certain situations.