FLASH POINTS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0
The pace of Leroy Sane
The German burned off most of his flank after a great pass forward by Aymeric Laporte and then almost found his way to the touchline following a swift City counter attack after Ruben Neves’ free kick had been cleared. Unlucky to be taken off but Huddersfield Town may now be fearing the rested German on Sunday.
Manchester City’s left back conundrum against pace
With Oleksandr Zinchenko not risked against the pacy Wolves attack, Pep Guardiola opted for the experience of Danilo at left back rather than use Fabian Delph who had been sent off against Leicester City on Boxing Day but was instead named on the bench.
Kyle Walker recalled
Back in the fold after recent poor form but his mistake to give away possession forced Fernandinho to collect a booking after it seemed Wolves would break away early on. His cross midway through the first half was so enticing that Gabriel Jesus risked injury to get on the end of it – appearing to hit his head on the woodwork as he dived in to try and convert it.
Wily Boly red card after 19 minutes
Not the only defender making mistakes on the night, Willy Boly scythed into Bernardo Silva with a reckless studs up challenge after the little Portuguese midfielder had skipped over Jonny Otto’s attempt to tackle him. His dismissal after 19 minutes – a straight red card by Craig Pawson – changed the complexion of the game for City who were already 1-0 up.
Gabriel Jesus back in form
He was trusted in front of Sergio Aguero against Wolves and repaid his boss Pep Guardiola with two goals and was definitely aiming for more.
The stuttering run-up for his confidently struck penalty said it all for Gabriel Jesus whose four goals against Burton Albion last week seems to have restored his faith in front of goal. The brave Brazilian was up for goals, grabbing City’s opener and also risking injury flying in for a Kyle Walker cross and colliding with the post.
The Brazilian kept doing his usual hardworking all-action performance all over the pitch, with attempts to play in his team mates for goals and pressing into midfield.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0
Ederson: 6. Very little to do so he decided to have a go in midfield close to the end much to the amusement of the crowd!
Kyle Walker: 6. Early mistake to lose the ball which led to Fernandinho’s booking. Still looks in poor form but improved after the break, shooting straight at Rui Patricio and attempting more crosses.
John Stones: 6. Outpaced by Ruben Neves early on.
Aymeric Laporte: 7. Great distribution from the back, released Leroy Sane for City’s first goal.
Danilo: 6. Deployed at left back and defended solidly but still tried to go forward to mixed results. He left his shooting boots at home but still found a great cross for Raheem Sterling who headed straight at Rui Patricio.
Fernandinho: 8. Had to accept a booking after being left high and dry by Kyle Walker, but was kept on and controlled proceedings from his midfield berth, even trying out shots himself in the second half. His interceptions were crucial in the game, even capable of creating chances on the break.
Bernardo Silva: 6. Went down in a heap after being scythed down by Willy Boly. Switched to the right flank after Ilkay Gundogan came on.
David Silva: 7. Celebrating a record 237 Premier League appearances for Manchester City. Tried his luck with 20 yard rising strike which was tipped over by Rui Patricio.
Raheem Sterling: 7. Tormented the Wolves defence more effectively after Boly went off. Earned a penalty after going past Ryan Bennett who tripped him. Header straight at Rui Patricio from Danilo’s cross.
Leroy Sane: 8. Great pace down the left, crossed for the opening goal after 10 minutes. Enormous pace used to great effect down City’s left flank during counter attacks and could have been amongst the goals but for some miskicks and offside decisions. Even outpaced Adama Traore when coming back to defend.
Gabriel Jesus: 8. Back to his best with a great run to the back post to convert Leroy Sane’s cross. So hungry for a second goal that he risked everything to get on the end of a Kyle Walker cross but collided with Rui Patricio’s post as he flew in, also had a shot deflected wide. Confidently stood up and stuttered his run up to double his score with a penalty after Raheem Sterling had been tripped.
Kevin De Bruyne (on for David Silva 62): 7. Threading balls through the eye of the needle (and testing Rui Patricio) immediately. Hit the post with a snap shot then his curling cross into the area took deflections off Romain Saiss and Conor Coady to end the Wolves resistance.
Ilkay Gundogan (on for Leroy Sane 74): 6. Tactical reshuffle. Backheel saved in injury time as City tried to get their 100th goal of the season in all competitions.
Sergio Aguero (on for Gabriel Jesus 76): 6. Continued Gabriel Jesus’ work rate.
GOALS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0
Man City 1, Wolves 0: 10. Gabriel Jesus had a tap in at the back post from 4 yards out after Leroy Sane cut the ball across from the left.
Man City 2, Wolves 0: 39. Raheem Sterling brought down in the area for a penalty after Ryan Bennett tripped him. A stuttered run up and confident shot later and Gabriel Jesus had doubled the lead.
Man City 3, Wolves 0: 78. Kevin De Bruyne’s curling cross in for 20 yards was headed by Romain Saiss into Conor Coady and deflected into the Wolves net
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 3, Wolves 0
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Danilo, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, David Silva (De Bruyne 62), Sterling, Sane (Gundogan 74), Gabriel Jesus (Aguero 76)
Man City Subs not used: Muric, Delph, Mahrez, Otamendi
Booked: Fernandinho 14
Goals: Jesus 10, 39 pen; Coady og 78
Wolves: Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doerty, Dendoncker, Neves, Otto, Moutinho (Gibbs-White 72), Jimenez (Traore 46), Jota (Saiss 59)
Wolves Subs not used: Ruddy, Cavaleiro, Costa, Vinagre
Red Card: Boly 19 (for a dreadful scything challenge on Bernardo Silva)