With roughly 25 seconds left in the five-minute second-half stoppage time, John Stones headed in Phil Foden's corner, causing Wolves assistant coach Shaun Derry to collapse to the ground in the home technical area, while the away fans erupted in celebration. For Gary O'Neil, the most disheartening aspect was the way the goal was scored, with Bernardo Silva obstructing José Sá in the Wolves goal. Last season, Wolves protested VAR's decision after Max Kilman had a 99th-minute equalizer disallowed at West Ham due to Tawanda Chirewa blocking Lukasz Fabianski's view. This time, referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the VAR monitor and sided with Pep Guardiola.

Initially, it seemed a towering 6ft 4in Norwegian, a 24-year-old No 9, would score the opener. However, it was Jørgen Strand Larsen who capitalized on a smooth Wolves move, giving City something to ponder. Guardiola's team equalized thanks to a graceful strike by Josko Gvardiol, but just as it appeared Wolves would secure a crucial point after digging deep, they were dealt a damaging defeat. By next weekend, Wolves will have faced seven of the top eight teams in their first nine matches.

The Wolves' slogan 'Fear nothing' flashed on the big screens, center circle banner, and advertising hoardings, but adopting that mindset is another matter, especially when confidence is low after securing just one point in the first seven games and facing the champions. O'Neil recognized that the deeper the slump, the harder it is for Wolves to recover, and the mental strain of trying to fend off City. Mario Lemina, the captain who wears his heart on his sleeve, stated that only liars and cheaters would blame their manager for their poor run.

Wolves' determination to keep their first clean sheet since February seemed both physically and mentally draining. It was an exhausting experience, with Toti Gomes even doing an impromptu headstand on the goal line after desperately clearing away a powerful shot by Silva. Craig Dawson and Lemina were vigilant to every ball. O'Neil anxiously tapped his temples as André guided the ball out of play for a Wolves goal-kick 29 minutes in, a rare reprieve after enduring relentless pressure as City sought an equalizer.

Four minutes later, it arrived. Jérémy Doku, positioned wide on the left, passed the ball to Gvardiol 20 yards from goal. City attacked in numbers, with every outfield player in jasper red hovering around the Wolves box. Gvardiol's first touch let the ball roll across his body, and with his next, he curled a right-foot shot into the top corner, just past Sá's fingertips.

Sá, who replaced the injured Sam Johnstone in goal, had an impressive game. He made a sharp early save to his right to deny Silva and another in first-half stoppage time to push Savinho's punched effort out for a corner after Silva intercepted possession inside the box. In the second half, Sá dived to his left to deflect Rúben Dias's shot around his left post, and Wolves narrowly escaped a couple more scares, but City did not penetrate the hosts as easily.

Gonçalo Guedes seemed intent on running down the clock with 83 minutes gone. Tommy Doyle, the former City midfielder, entered at halftime, followed by his former teammate Foden midway through the second half as Guardiola tried to increase the pressure. Later, Guardiola turned to Matheus Nunes, the former Wolves midfielder whose introduction was met with jeers from the home crowd. More anger ensued.

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