Man City took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break in their Premier League clash with Wolves on Friday night.
Both teams entered the contest at the Etihad Stadium in fine form as both sides were undefeated in eight games, with Vitor Pereira’s men winning their last six Premier League games, which is why Paul Merson predicted a tough night for Man City.
Out of the remaining four games Man City have left this season, the Midlands club are arguably the Manchester outfit’s hardest opponents as Pep Guardiola’s men push for a place in next season’s Champions League.
That was evident in the opening 45 minutes as Wolves were the better of the two teams but would somehow enter the halftime break 1-0 down after a lovely Kevin De Bruyne goal.
Man City duo credited with Kevin De Bruyne goal vs Wolves
De Bruyne stepped up for Man City in their win over Crystal Palace recently and the Belgian star was at it again in the first half against Wolves as the midfielder does his best to help the Manchester club qualify for the Champions League before departing the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Despite the 33-year-old putting the ball into the back of the net, Premier League pundit Jim Beglin credited both Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku for their role in the opening goal.
“Andre gets caught on the ball, it’s Bernardo Silva who stole it from him,” Beglin said for the Premier League. “Doku’s been a very good source and he pulls it back very, very cleverly, in his awareness of where De Bruyne’s stood.
“Once it gets to his right foot, you know it’s probably going to find the back of the net. Wolves desperately tried to get a block on it but he found a way through.”
Man City fans praised Doku for his role in their recent win against Aston Villa, but regarding the Wolves game, Jamie Carragher believed De Bruyne’s goal gave City an undeserved lead.
Jamie Carragher says Man City didn’t deserve lead against Wolves
Wolves were without a doubt the best team throughout the first half at the Etihad Stadium as Rayan Ait-Nouri hit the post and had a shot blocked off the line by Josko Gvardiol, while Pereira’s side messed up a golden one-on-one opportunity.
Carragher also praised Doku for his role in De Bruyne’s goal, but believed the lead was undeserved given the chances the away side created.
“This is the only time City have looked dangerous,” Carragher said on Sky Sports via the BBC. “Wolves got into difficulty in the middle of the pitch and then there is space there for City to play into.
“Doku does well to find De Bruyne. They maybe don’t deserve it, but one chance is all it takes.”
