Just like the reverse fixture at the Molineux Wolves lose out 3-0 to Man City, this time a shambolic refereeing display and mistakes see Erling Haaland bag a hat-trick and send us home empty-handed once again. It’s back to the drawing board for Julen Lopetegui and his men, changes will have to be implemented and it remains to be seen if more new faces will be here come our next fixture on the 4th of February against Liverpool.
Jose Sa
Made some routine saves in the first half and that is as good as it gets, he made an unforgivable mistake in the second half that hit the nail in the coffin for Wolves. Has not been able to carry his form from the last season and has made various mistakes this season. The ball at his feet under pressure is clearly not his forte.
3/10
Hugo Bueno
A cautious and conservative performance from the Spaniard kicked the ball out of play on a few occasions, tried his best going forward and managed to put some crosses in. Was always going to be a difficult game with the likes of Riyad Mahrez and co down his flank. Wolves did give in for the first goal as the ball was played back to De Bruyne and nobody closed him down on that flank. Could have been Subbed for Ait-Nouri earlier.
5/10
Max Kilman
A body check foul in a dangerous area which lead to his early yellow card is about the only negative I can think of for Kilman, kicked the ball out of play once or twice when under pressure but was okay on the other occasions and lead a steady game for himself.
5/10
Nathan Collins
A solid performance but the Irish international continues to have lapses of concentration in his game. Was beaten by Haaland for the first goal and followed with an irrational tackle inside the box minutes later which could have cost Wolves a penalty. Did make a good clearance off the line and some good play with the ball apart from a misplaced pass in the second half, still not consistent enough during the course of games though.
6/10
Nelson Semedo
Not a terrible performance but not great either, misplaced some passes which lead to City’s chances and booted the ball up the field on one occasion when he could have calmly kept possession and moved the team up the other end of the pitch. Could have been a much more difficult evening if it wasn’t for the excellent work Lemina did to cover and help out on that flank.
5/10
Mario Lemina
Although he was given an undeserved yellow card early on in the game, he was one of if not Wolves’ best players today. His movement on and off the ball was excellent, and his willingness to get on the ball and get the team moving did not go unnoticed, also did really well defensively.
6.5/10
Ruben Neves
Gave his heart out as usual but it was not enough. The penalty he conceded was very light, and it remains to be seen if there was any contact at all between him and Gundogan, you have your doubts if it would have been given had it been the other end of the field.
5.5/10
Matheus Nunes
Clearly starting to see the player he actually is under the management of Julen Lopetegui. Showed glimpses of what he can do, carried the team forwards on many occasions and made some great passes. Although being dispossessed and the misplaced passes in our own box mean the rating can’t be any higher.
6/10
Adama Traore
Struggle to remember anything of note he did in that first half, covered Semedo down that right-hand side and carried the ball upfield twice before being eventually fouled by his opponents. Nothing else to be reported as Wolves didn’t see much of City’s box and half in the first 45 minutes.
5/10
Raul Jimenez
Getting slightly and slowly better game by game under Lopetegui but he is clearly miles away from being the old Jimenez and it is sad to see. Not much to report for him either and that is one of the reasons he was taken off before the second-half action was recommenced.
5/10
Hwang Hee Chan
The most mobile and dynamic out of the front three in that half and I think that says a lot, was more involved than Traore and Jimenez but the highlight of his game remains a nutmeg and not much else, as Traore did, he doubled down to help Bueno on that flank on different occasions.
5/10
SUBSTITUTES:
Joao Moutinho 45′ (Hwang Hee-Chan)
More energy and a lot of tackles to recover the ball, obviously what he was instructed to do and that is what earns him a pass from me. The game was gone when City scored their second goal of the game though.
6/10
Matheus Cuhna 45′ (Raul Jimenez)
Continues to do well, could argue that he should have started the game in place of Raul. His movement is very good and if Wolves want to start moving up the table he should be getting a run in the team.
6/10
Pablo Sarabia 45′ (Adama Traore)
His first game for the club struggled to impact the game with one shot that should have resulted in a penalty for the men in Old Gold and another shot that reached row Z. Hopefully won’t take him too long to get acclimatised and firing.
5/10
Daniel Podence 67′ (Mario Lemina)
The pick from the players that came off the bench. Looked lively, had some shots and got the team up the field. Could have been brought on earlier and a shame one of his shots hit the side netting.
6.5/10
Rayan Ait Nouri 80′ (Hugo Bueno)
The last of the players to come on off the bench when the game was all over and done with.
N.A.