Manchester City had to be patient throughout the full 90 minutes at Molineux to come away with a 2-1 win over Wolves. Jørgen Strand Larsen’s opener was cancelled out by a Josko Gvardiol wonder strike in the first half of yesterday’s match. The second half saw the world champions dominate possession but a stubborn Wolves rearguard kept the champions at bay. That was until a 95th-minute header from John Stones ensured City picked up a crucial three points. Coming out of the game it is becoming apparent that patience is becoming a key part of Manchester City’s game.
The tactics employed by Gary O’Neill’s side at Molineux are becoming a regular tactic employed against Pep Guardiola’s side. Teams are sitting deep and looking to hit Manchester City on the break. Fulham had success with this tactic during City’s 3-2 win over the Cottagers a fortnight ago. Wolves employed a similar tactic yesterday. The hosts had early success yesterday with this tactic. It helped them take a shock lead through a swift counterattack in the 7th minute. It almost paid off again in the 19th minute. Ederson denied Nelson Semedo to keep the score at 1-nil during the opening 20 minutes of yesterday’s match.
But after Wolves early flurry Manchester City dominated yesterday’s game. The statistics tell the story of City’s dominance. They had 78% possession and held Wolves to only 3 shots over the course of the entire game. Two of those occurred in the opening 20 minutes of yesterday’s game. But despite their dominance City had to be patient to ensure they picked up all three points. Without that patience it is doubtful City would’ve won at Molineux. It is now a key part of City’s weaponry.
Patience was key for Manchester City during yesterday’s match.
As Manchester City dominated the second half of yesterday’s match, they couldn’t create any clear-cut chances. Wolves defended well but City just lacked that cutting edge to their play. Instead of getting impatient and resorting to shots from distance, or trying to force the play Pep Guardiola’s side continued to grind Wolves down. This tactic paid the ultimate dividend in the 95th minute when John Stones headed home a Phil Foden corner to clinch all three points for the world champions. Patience was the order of the day for City yesterday and they were rewarded late in yesterday’s game.
Speaking after his team’s win Josko Gvardiol praised the patience shown by his team. He also had special praise for his teammates for never giving up yesterday. Speaking post-game, the Croatian international said: “We are here for each other, and it’s obvious when someone defends like that, really deep, you need patience and to pass the ball quickly from one side to another. When you join this club, it becomes part of you, and that’s what we need. We also had some games when we missed that, but today we had it, and that’s why we won.”
Pep Guardiola echoed the sentiments of Josko Gvardiol when he spoke post-game. He praised his team’s never-say-die attitude and the patience they showed at Molineux. Guardiola told the media: “To get the flavour of winning this way is so nice. The impact of the players from the bench [was good] and we were patient. We have to deal with the that way teams defend so deep. Literally 11 players in the box. I said to the players, please don’t judge. It belongs to us to break them down. When you play Tottenham, they play a different way and it’s fine. Every time it’s getting better, knowing that it is so difficult.”
Summary.
Patience was the order of the day for Manchester City at Molineux yesterday. The champions had to show that side of their game to ensure they came away with three points against Gary O’Neill’s side. Based on how teams are setting up against Pep Guardiola’s side this season it appears that it will be a trait City will have to rely on this season. Based on yesterday’s result it is a trait that will serve them well against side that are determined to defend deep.
