Manchester City defender John Stones headed a controversial stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday (Oct 20) that took them top of the Premier League and set a club record of 31 league games unbeaten. Champions Man City dominated possession from start to finish at Molineux, but were shocked in the seventh minute when a perfect cross from Nelson Semedo was met with a composed close-range finish by Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. Semedo missed a glorious chance to put Wolves further ahead in a one-on-one that Ederson saved, before City defender Josko Gvardiol picked up the ball in space and curled a beautiful shot past Jose Sa for a deserved 33rd-minute equaliser. Stones's late winner from a corner went to a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for a possible offside by Bernardo Silva in front of the goalkeeper, but it was allowed to the delight of their manager Pep Guardiola and travelling fans.
John Stones' dramatic stoppage-time winner kept Manchester City in touch with Premier League leaders Liverpool as the champions beat battling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The defender's header – in the fifth minute of injury time – was given when referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the goal on review, to the hosts' fury, after it was initially ruled out for offside.
Josko Gvardiol had earlier cancelled out Jorgen Strand Larsen's opener for Wolves, who remain winless this season and are bottom of the Premier League.
Man City made the early running at Molineux but were stunned on seven minutes when neat build-up play sent Nelson Semedo away and his brilliant cross, which bypassed four visiting defenders, was tapped in by Strand Larsen.
The recalled Jose Sa, replacing the injured Sam Johnstone in goal, denied Bernardo Silva soon after as City controlled the game, but they had to wait until the 33rd minute to level when Gvardiol found the top corner from 20 yards.
Yet it did not give them an immediate platform for victory and the visitors were met by an undaunted opponent who denied them space, although only an excellent low save from Sa denied Savinho in first-half stoppage time.
Another Sa stop kept Ruben Dias out as City camped in the hosts' half but they were almost caught out by a rare Wolves break, Matheus Cunha shooting wide.
Pep Guardiola summoned Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from the bench but City were made to wait until deep into stoppage time to find a winner.
Stones headed in Foden's corner, only for Silva to be ruled offside as he was standing in front of Sa, but, with the City players watching on, referee Kavanagh gave the goal to break Wolves' hearts.
