Manchester City brush aside 10-man Wolves thanks to Jesus double to stay hot on Liverpool's heels in title race 

Gabriel Jesus - Gabriel Jesus' brace helped them to the win
Gabriel Jesus' brace helped them to the win Credit: Reuters

Manchester City made rather of a mess of their previous two title defences but Liverpool are discovering that this version of the champions are a different proposition and will not give up their crown so easily.

On a night when a potentially tricky assignment was smoothed by Willy Boly’s early red card and Wolverhampton Wanderers were forced to play for 71 minutes with 10 men, two goals from a resurgent Gabriel Jesus and an own goal from Conor Coady were enough for City to reduce the gap at the top back to four points.

Liverpool will have the opportunity to put the pressure back on City against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday, 24 hours before Pep Guardiola’s side travel to managerless, bottom club Huddersfield, but the City manager’s message to his players is simple: Hang in there and be ready to pounce if Liverpool falter.

“I said to the players, ‘Don’t watch the calendar for the Liverpool games, forget about it because if you don’t you might lose your own games and then it’s over’,” Guardiola said.

“We cannot control what Liverpool do. All we can do is win our games and be there and maybe one day they fail but if we don’t win they will be champions.”

Willy Boly sees red
Willy Boly sees red Credit: AP

It is a good bet that the sight of Boly being dismissed may have reopened old wounds for Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool manager was left in disbelief that Vincent Kompany was not sent off in his team’s 2-1 defeat to City earlier this month, when the Belgium defender lunged at Mohamed Salah and, according to Klopp, was fortunate not to clean out the Egypt forward and end his season.

Boly lunged at Bernardo Silva in similar fashion, and while he did win the ball first, he also took out the City midfielder at the ankle with his follow through. Perhaps it was the fuller contact on Bernardo that persuaded Craig Pawson to show red where Anthony Taylor only brandished yellow to Kompany but these are the margins on which title races can turn. Guardiola, equally, might feel a sort of karma given that a handball by Boly for Wolves’s equaliser against City in August went undetected.

It was a strange game. The crowd were subdued and Boly’s dismissal brought a certain inevitability to the result, even if City never really set any pulses racing. As Guardiola said: “The game at 11 v 11 was quite similar to 11 v 10.”

There was no doubting its highlight, assuming we don’t include Ederson charging 40 yards out of his goal late on and almost digging a hole for himself before recovering to play keep ball with his compatriot Fernandinho.

The world’s very best playmakers would have been proud of the pass from Aymeric Laporte that led to City’s first goal. The defender was just over the halfway line when he arced the ball around Joao Moutinho and in between Matt Doherty and Ryan Bennett, neither of whom saw it coming. Leroy Sane most certainly did, though, zooming in behind and whipping a perfect cross into the six-yard box for Jesus to slide in to claim his first of the night. It was the red card that really killed Wolves, though.

Boly could have no complaints. His manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, certainly did not have any, beyond frustration with his own player perhaps. Boly’s studs were raised, he was out of control and Bernardo was endangered. You can make a strong case that Salah was, too, but Pawson could only judge what he witnessed.

A goal and a man down, opportunity knocked for Wolves in the 36th minute. Raul Jimenez showed strength to outmuscle Laporte and surge forward before slipping the ball into the path of Jonny Otto just inside the penalty area. His cross evaded the diving boot of Diogo Jota by inches and City were spared.

There was the distinct feeling that chance needed to go in for Wolves to make things interesting and that was reinforced two minutes later when City won a penalty that Jesus converted for his second.

Kevin De Bruyne made an impact as a substitute- Kevin De Bruyne made an impact as a substitute
Kevin De Bruyne makes an impact as a substitute Credit: Getty Images

Ryan Bennett must have had a five-yard head start on Raheem Sterling when Bernardo played a short, clever pass in behind but the England forward’s blistering pace enabled him to get ahead of the Wolves defender. Bennett was in trouble now, stuck out a leg and down Sterling tumbled.

If Sergio Aguero on the substitutes’ bench was expected after illness, Kevin De Bruyne’s presence there was more of a surprise. Perhaps it was punishment for walking straight down the tunnel in a huff after being substituted after less than an hour against Burton Albion last Wednesday, maybe it was Guardiola wrapping him in cotton wool after four months out with successive knee injuries this term.

De Bruyne’s mood cheered, though, when his cross from Ilkay Gundogan’s short corner brushed off the head of Romain Saiss and was turned in by Coady. Job done. Back to you, Liverpool.

                                                                                                    

Nuno on his side's "tough night"

It was a tough night, a very tough night for us. Since we conceded the goal, it became very difficult. Then the red card... It becomes hard playing, with one man less it's harder. 

The result there's no doubt about it, Man City played, they controlled the game... Our plan went after the goal and then the red card... We were brave and always working hard, tried to stay in the game. but at this point we have to look ahead now. 

On Boly's red card:

It's a red card no doubt about it. 

Kyle Walker with his take on returning to the starting XI in the league...

...saying being left out for a few fixtures was a "reality check" and an opportunity to reflect, but he felt good to be back. 

Fun stat from tonight

Well, perhaps not for Wolves, but with Coady's own goal confirmed, they become the first side this season to score an own goal, concede a penalty and bag a red card in one game. 

FT - Manchester City 3 - 0 Wolves

In the closing three minutes City get a final chance to get their century of goals so far this season. Danilo leaves the ball to Sterling who runs it into the box to Gundogan who back heels it too softly (unsure whether that was a shot or pass back to Sterling?) and allows Patricio to make an easy save. It finishes 3-0, and Wolves did well to keep it relatively respectable considering how comfortable the home side were from the moment of the first half sending off. 

90 minutes - Manchester City 3 - 0 Wolves

Fernandinho switches it up to Aguero on the left but it's cleared. Traore is found on the counter attack for Wolves and he runs it into the City box, forcing a clearance and well-earned corner. It is unfortunately cleared pretty simply by City though. 

85 minutes - Manchester City 3 - 0 Wolves

Wolves aren't doing anything wrong per se, they just cannot fill the hole left by Boly's departure. City are difficult to compete with at the best of times, let alone with 10 men. They do get a half chance as a ball is lobbed forward with a couple of their men chasing. 

Ederson bizarrely comes way outside his own box to clear the rare (sort of) dangerous ball from Wolves. Guardiola looks pretty unimpressed as the keeper plays a couple of passes from his dangerous position. The City fans on the other hand are loving it. 

GOAL! 78 minutes - Manchester City 3 - 0 Wolves

De Bruyne goes for power again from his initial attempt, as he gets a foot to a loose ball in the area to launch it at goal. It's cleared for a corner, and that's when the goal comes.  

A short corner is fed to De Bruyne, who instead of power opts for a curling shot full of pace this time, finding the goal for City's third - though it might have been helped through with a brush of Wolves' defender Coady. 

That's City's 99th goal this season. 

75 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

Goal-scorer Jesus comes off, Sergio Aguero replaces him. No let off for Wolves it seems.

73 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

Substitutions made in the last couple of minutes:

Moutinho off, 18-year-old Morgan Gibbs-White on for Wolves' final substitution.

Sane is off for City, and Ilkay Gundogan is on. 

68 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

Sterling with a chance on another through ball, but Patricio reaches it first. A close one for Wolves again, who are simply playing to contain the champions.  

66 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

The ball is deflected off a Wolves head, and falls to the feet of the waiting De Bruyne who launches a shot off-target from the edge of the box. He'll be disappointed with his accuracy, but the blistering power made it threatening regardless.

64 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

City are coasting, passing and moving, gradually feeding the ball around inside Wolves' half. But suddenly a De Bruyne through ball reaches Sterling on the run inside the penalty area and Wolves are forced to clear it for a corner. Those sudden changes of pace are exactly where City are doing the damage, and you feel like a couple of goals will surely drop soon enough. 

61 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

Another City chance. Fernandinho scoops a pass over the Wolves back line to Sane who stretches but cannot reach the ball. Great vision there from the Brazilian nonetheless.  

Guardiola makes his first change, David Silva is off for Kevin De Bruyne, much to the City fans' delight. 

58 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

Wolves' second substitution: Jota comes off, looking to be struggling slightly with a stiff hamstring, to make way for Romain Saiss. 

55 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves

A chance for Jesus this time, as a through ball reaches him but his close range shot goes straight into the goal keeper. A second look shows he was offside though.

Walker gets a shot at goal soon after, but a deflection takes the pace off his strike and it ends up being an easy save for Patricio. 

City enjoying 85 per cent possession so far this half. The ball has got up to City's half a couple of times, but Wolves have been unable to make a meaningful pass to Traore stick so far. 

50 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves 

City are building and building their attack, passing and passing - Wolves win back a ball through a Silva loose pass, but it lasts less than a second. Jesus scoops the ball into the box eventually in a lovely bit of play to Bernardo Silva who gives the ball back to Sane but he scuffs it completely. A great chance wasted. 

46 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves 

Traore replaces Jimenez for Wolves, and you wonder if he'll struggle to get involved at all as City remain unchanged and are immediately back to business. They threaten in Wolves' half from the onset. 

Second half coming up...

... in a couple of moments

HT - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves 

City use the three minutes of added time to apply passing pressure and dominance over their opposition. They're as comfortable as you'll see any Premier League team ahead of half time.

 

43 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves 

Wolves' entire team are back, so even as they try to make a break from a clearance there's really no one to send the ball to. 

City pick it up and get another good chance. Sterling and Jesus trade places and the former picks up a cross for a header from close range, but luckily for Wolves sends it straight into Patricio's hands. 

GOAL! 38 minutes - Manchester City 2 - 0 Wolves 

City are awarded a penalty for Bennet's reaching challenge on Sterling. 

Jesus takes it - a stuttering run up to send the goalie left and he tucks it away on the other side. Two for Jesus tonight so far, his seventh in his last three appearances. Where can Wolves go from here?

36 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

Chance for Wolves as they break to go three on three against City. Jimenez to Jonny who tries to find Jota in the centre, but he can't reach it. You wonder if he should have taken a shot there. 

But then we're back up the other side. Sterling and Fernandinho play a one-two, with the former feeding back to a waiting Jesus whose shot is deflected. Big chance there, and great pass and move football from Sterling.

29 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

More pressure from City, another goal feels inevitable.

Sterling picks up the ball from inside the box after a lovely pass from David Silva but he is contained by Wolves defenders. Continuing play from City wins a corner, which Sterling takes short, to David Silva who wins them another corner. This time it finds the head of a Wolves player, who can clear it only as far as an awaiting Sane at the top of the box - but his shot at goal is blocked. 

25 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

Great chance for City, but slightly worrying moment too. Walker crosses into Jesus, who is in a similarly threatening position to where he scored the opener. But he sends it wide and rattles full speed into the post, seeming to hit his head. The medical staff spends some time with the striker, but he's back on the pitch within a couple of minutes.

22 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

Some great tiki-taka play at the half way line from City, then David Silva feeds the ball in to Bernardo inside the box, who plays it back out to Danilo but he skies his shot way over the bar. 

RED CARD: 19 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

Boly given a straight red for his studs up, sliding tackle on Bernardo Silva, and rightly so. That could've been an ankle-breaker. Silva looks alright, but Boly is gone and you fear for Wolves now. 

15 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

David Silva with a chance here. He strikes a thunderous left-footed strike at goal but a deflection slows down the pace to allow Wolves' keeper Patricio the chance to nick it over the post. 

Sterling's corner doesn't find anyone in the box, but clearances from Wolves' back line keeps falling back to a City player's feet. The home team are in complete control.

13 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

Counter attack through a mistake from Walker and Jota starts making a run, he passes to Neves and Fernandinho takes him down, earning a yellow card in the process. 

Neves sends the free kick from range right into Ederson's hands though, and City make an immediate counter attack, which ultimately comes to nothing but reminds Wolves just how quick they can be. 

GOAL! 9 minutes - Manchester City 1 - 0 Wolves

City take the lead in the first ten minutes with apparent ease.

Laporte sends a through ball to Sane, who picks out Jesus making a run just in front of goal and he lunges to slot the ball in the net. 

8 minutes - Manchester City 0 - 0 Wolves

Wolves in a threatening position around Ederson's box. Jonny passes through to Jota right out by the corner flag but Dendoncker can't get a hold of it and City regain possession. 

Down to the other end of the pitch and Sane is given a little bit of space just inside the box to get a shot out, but it's blocked by Wolves' back line. City still with the ball and Sterling makes a play at crossing in from the right side but again it's cleared. 

City controlling the pace a little more here, applying the pressure. 

4 minutes - Manchester City 0 - 0 Wolves

City posing an attacking threat around the edge of Wolves' box early on but can't make headway into the danger area. Ball goes out of play for a Wolves goal kick.

Wolves get a long throw in into the box but a header loops out wide, posing no threat. 

Guardiola on his choice of Jesus over Aguero

Yes of course [it is about recent form], the striker needs goals for his confidence, but especially because Sergio was sick one or two days this week.

Play starting in a few moments.

City looking relaxed

Oleksandr Zinchenko is having a hard time on the touchline as his teammates seem to give him some stick for a questionable outfit choice...

Back to business though, the starting XIs are taking to the pitch now.

Yaya Toure is giving his input as a pundit

His take on Guardiola's team choice has been all positive, none of the sour notes of his previous comments about his former coach, in which he accused him of having 'problems with Africans'

Yaya Toure with Pep Guardiola Credit: PA

A closer look at the teams

Unsurprisingly, seven changes have been made from the starting XI that resided over Man City's  9-0 drubbing of Burton in the Carabao Cup last Wednesday. Guardiola decides to keep Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne on the bench this time, but the home crowd will no doubt be hoping to see the Belgian get some minutes again tonight. 

Nuno on the other hand makes two changes from the Wolves team that beat Liverpool, with Rui Patricio returning in goal and Matt Doherty replacing Ruben Vinagre.

Nuno Espirito Santo's thoughts ahead of the game:

The team always look forward to big challenges and today is a big, big challenge.

Of course, Man City will be a huge hurdle to overcome, but Wolves will take confidence from the knowledge they've taken points from their opponents tonight, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs in the league this season, as well as their aforementioned win over Liverpool in the FA Cup. 

David Silva milestone

Silva's inclusion in the starting line-up means he overtakes Joe Hart and the Manchester City player with the most Premier League appearances at 267. 

Good evening and welcome...

... to the Telegraph's live coverage of the Premier League's Monday night fixture. 

Manchester City host Wolves, in this their first league outing since beating leaders Liverpool 11 days ago. They'll be hoping to continue the winning feeling and reduce the deficit at the top to four points - as well as extend their lead on Tottenham who fell to Manchester United yesterday - but Wolves pose no small threat. 

They have recorded two wins in their last three games over the teams sandwiching second-placed City in the table: a 2-1 win over an admittedly much-changed Liverpool side in the FA Cup, and a 3-1 victory over Tottenham at Wembley at the end of December.  

Not forgetting that City were held to a draw at the Molineux back in August, Wolves may well trip up Pep Guardiola's title contenders if care is not taken. Here are how the teams line up.

 For the home side: 

 And the visitors:

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