Wolves 1-2 Man City player ratings: Stones rises late as champions survive Molineux scare
Manchester City maintained their unbeaten Premier League status with a dramatic 2-1 win at Wolves this afternoon.
It was a frustrating outing for Pep Guardiola’s men until the 95th minute when John Stones rose to convert a Phil Foden corner. Wolves, who came into this game on a five-game losing streak and shipped in five against Brentford last time out, broke the deadlock through Jørgen Strand Larsen before Josko Gvardiol brilliantly equalised.
FT: Wolves 1-2 Man City
John Stones wins it for the Citizens in the 5th minute of stoppage time. #WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/LGV3IEEzWV
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 20, 2024
The result means that Manchester City are unbeaten in 31 Premier League matches (W25 D6), their longest ever unbeaten league run in their entire history.
Wolves, meanwhile, have failed to win any of their opening eight league games (D1 L7) in a season for the first time since 1983-84 (first 14 matches), a season they finished bottom of the top-flight.
Wolves player ratings
José Sá: 66%
Back in the firing line and expected a busy afternoon. City peppered his goal, with Sá conceding twice and ending with a goals prevented prevented -0.33 goals from being scored while making five saves (two inside the penalty area).
Toti Gomes: 52%
He was dispossessed once in his half but still managed to register one successful tackle and complete six clearances.
Craig Dawson: 55%
The busier of Wolves’ centre-backs, Dawson made nine clearances and won two aerial duels. He also registered a 97% retention rate, but a 33.33% aerial duel success rate brings his rating down.
Santiago Bueno: 52%
Had a retention rate of 75.86% while being dribbled past once.
Rayan Aït-Nouri: 51%
This was a tough outing for Aït-Nouri, who had to deal with Savinho down his flank and was dribbled past on two occasions.
Mario Lemina: 45%
He could not create a chance or have a shot on goal while failing to win any of his two attempted tackles.
André: 40%
Struggled as soon as City grabbed a hold of the game. Andre was ineffective, with one successful tackle and three accurate forward passes. He produced no interceptions and only won 50% of his attempted ground duels.
João Gomes: 38%
He won four tackles but was dribbled past on two occasions, though Gomes made the most final-third entries (three) by a Wolves outfield player.
Nélson Semedo: 65%
Needed to be alert due to City’s profound attacking prowess, the wing-back won two tackles, made two clearances, and gained possession five times in the defensive third while assisting Wolves’ opener with a peach of a cross.
Jørgen Strand Larsen: 61%
He broke the deadlock with his only attempt at goal and only touched the ball once in the opposition’s half.
Matheus Cunha: 35%
Created one big chance and produced a single attempt on goal, but that wasn’t on target.
Man City player ratings
Ederson: 60%
The only blemish on his quiet afternoon was conceding as the City shot-stopper would make one further save while completing both of his long passes.
Josko Gvardiol: 70%
He enjoys the license to push forward, resulting in 13 final third entries and two successful passes into the penalty area. Gvardiol equalised with a brilliant long-range effort.
Rúben Dias: 60%
Made one interception, leading to retaining possession. He completed three long passes with an overall 92% retention rate.
John Stones: 64%
He scored City’s dramatic last-minute winner, Stones was commanding as usual with six aerial duels won.
John Stones' game by numbers vs. Wolves:
9 duels won
6 aerial duels won
4x possession won
2 tackles
2 touches in opp. box
1 shotAnd one stoppage time winner. 🙌#WOLMCI pic.twitter.com/FqYDMMeiWo
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) October 20, 2024
Rico Lewis: 67%
Often found himself in midfield due to the hybrid role Guardiola wants him to play. He made two interceptions leading to possession retained while producing seven final-third entries.
Mateo Kovacic: 53%
Had an open-play passing accuracy of 91.3% and would create a single chance.
Jérémy Doku: 59%
Doku created one chance (leading to an assist) and had three attempts on goal (none on target), which is a poor return, having touched the ball 17 times in Wolves’ penalty area.
Ilkay Gündogan: 57%
Won two aerial duels and had three shots on goal but one was on target. Gündogan would also create three chances.
Bernardo Silva: 54%
He created no big chances despite posting 15 touches in the opposition box while registering four shots on goal (with one on target).
Savinho: 63%
Savinho attempted four shots at goal (one hitting the target) and touched the ball five times in the opposition penalty area while creating three chances, but none were considered a ‘big chance’.
Erling Haaland: 35%
No shots made on goal, and one chance was created, but it would not be classified as a ‘big chance’. His total of 13 touches was the fewest of any City player that played bar Matheus Nunes (six) who came on in the final minutes.
How do Squawka player ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.