Wolves 3 Manchester City 2 – Player ratings

Rui Patricio

Made two fantastic saves to deny Sterling – who had the benefit of a retake after a VAR check – from the penalty spot, before the City striker scored on the rebound. Cruel on the keeper as they were magnificent stops. 8

Leander Dendoncker

Made errors for both of the visitors' goals. He gave away the penalty, which was awarded after a VAR check and led to Sterling's eventual opener. It was not a nasty challenge and did not warrant the dramatic reaction from Mahrez, but he did stand on the Algerian's foot. Then, for the second, he tried to play Sterling offside but got his bearings wrong. Otherwise, Dendoncker was fairly solid and Wolves, of course, won in style – but those were clear mistakes from the Belgian. 6

Conor Coady

Played a superb ball over the top which saw Ederson panic and get sent off for wiping out Jota as he looked to get on the end of it. Encroached as Sterling was handed a retake, but Coady was sharp in possession. 7

Romain Saiss

Almost got on the scoresheet with a glancing header that went just past the far post and was not afraid to try his luck from range. 7

Matt Doherty

Displayed exceptional skill and composure to win it for Wolves at the death. After a lovely flick from Jimenez, the Irishman confidently took on Otamendi and found the bottom corner with aplomb – with his weaker left foot, too. Doherty's always been good for a goal, but this was perhaps his best in old gold. The world's top strikers would have been proud with that finish, especially given the importance of it. As Wolves ascend to immense heights, long-serving Doherty is as important as ever. Indispensable. 8

Joao Moutinho

An accomplished performance from the Portuguese, spraying the ball around with a vast amount of quality. Almost got an assist as his free-kick was headed narrowly wide by Saiss. 8

Ruben Neves

One of the best displays he has put in this season. Tends to come alive against the top teams, and this was no exception. Neves' passing was crisp, but his footwork in tight areas was even more impressive. Neves was often closed down by a couple of City players, but he came out unscathed and kept the attacks going. 8

Jonny Castro Otto

Dependable on the back foot, as ever, and got forward – more so in the first half – with a cross from the byline reaching Traore, whose shot was blocked. 7

Adama Traore

Unstoppable. Traore instigated the comeback and was a constant thorn in City's side. He was the star of the show in the reverse fixture, and he grabbed the spotlight once again. Operating a little more centrally than usual, the Spaniard kept on asking questions of the visitors' defence – and they did not have the answers. Traore got on the scoresheet with a piledriver from 20 yards that was reminiscent of his recent goal against Tottenham, and left substitute keeper Bravo with no chance of making the save. Then, he dispossessed Mendy and set up Jimenez to make it 2-2. Traore is making every defender he comes up against look silly, and, at the moment, he has to be considered one of the best wingers on the continent, never mind in this country. The only slight blot on his performance was that he gave away a free-kick in added-on time which Sterling almost made it 3-3 from, hitting the bar. 9

Raul Jimenez

Also with a goal and an assist to his name was Jimenez, whose clever footwork set up Doherty after the Mexican made it 2-2 by poking the ball under Bravo from close range. Similarly to Traore, although he did not perform quite at the level of the Spaniard, he must be considered one of the best strikers in Europe at the minute. On 17 goals in all competitions, he has equalled his tally from the whole of last season. 8

Diogo Jota

Was the subject of some rough treatment from City – being clattered into by Ederson as the keeper was sent off, and kicked a fair few times by Walker. Worked his socks off and had a good chance to score – being set up by Jimenez's scoop over the top of the defence – but could only fire the ball over the bar. 7

Subs

Ruben Vinagre (for Otto, 72)

Brought more pace and was not afraid to run at Walker and get crosses into the box. 7

Pedro Neto (for Jota, 79)

Also got at Walker whenever he could on the left, and had some joy. 7

Ryan Bennett (for Jimenez, 90+2)

N/A

Subs not used: Ruddy (gk), Vallejo, Kilman, Cutrone