Wolves Fans' Verdict v Man City: A perfect performance

Well, all those moaners who were at Ipswich owe our manager an apology. Apparently he does know what he’s doing, because his game plan was excellent.

Instead of Saiss, Coady and Boly it was Kilman, Toti and Dawson. Instead of Neves and Moutinho it was Gomes and Lemina. We have seen backs-to-the-wall defending like this before. We were good at it

We’d learnt from the Liverpool game and set up differently, being less open and allowing City to have the ball. We used less energy and that worked to our advantage late on.

Neto provided our outlet ball but it was virtually out of nothing he repeated his feat from Luton. Using his pace and avoiding challenges to get near the byline. With no angle for a shot his cross had the desired effect of finding the back of the net.

We managed the game well. With five at the back City found it hard playing between the gaps around the defenders while they were not getting behind us either. (I for one didn’t miss Sterling and Mahrez constantly doing that in the past). We defended extremely well throughout starting from front. Even near the end when Grealish came on and we expected the inevitable we snuffed him out and made him a non-factor.

The fans reception for Nunes was impressive – people were really paying attention throughout the first half.

After the break we expected City to be better, and they were, but we were also.

People have moaned that we lacked any leaders, well there were plenty out there. Many players led by example. Semedo, Kilman, Gomes, Cunha impressed, as did Neto and Hwang. Dawson gets MOTM though, keeping Haaland quiet throughout and clearing one off our line.

When the equaliser came we’d almost certainly have all taken the draw then. Instead though a fine sweeping counter attack saw Semedo advance and a clever lay-off from Cunha that took the keeper out the game and set up Hwang. It’s probably time we started to rate our top scorer more highly.

Seeing out the final 30 minutes was likely to be a challenge but we coped well. The introduction of Doc and Boubacar helped, with the latter tackling as intently as his predecessor Gomes had.

The atmosphere during that period was buzzing with the hopes, expectations and nervousness all wrapped into one feeling of someone standing on your stomach. Alls well though and seven points from seven games, gained in not the way we might have expected, is a decent start to build on.

John Lalley

Like most other interested observers, I had written our obituary for this game before a ball had been kicked. Judgement dispensed without recourse to the jury.

No doubt, City swaggered into Molineux with a similar mindset and who could blame them? But they found their hosts to be decidedly inhospitable.

The vitriolic contempt meted out to the prodigal Matheus Nunes may not have been in the most delicate of tastes, but it set a tone of simmering defiance that transferred itself onto the playing arena.

The reasons for the petulant disdain he had shown to Wolves may have been understandable from his perspective, but for us, the insulting and haughty disregard still lingers. This sense of entitlement seemed to spur Wolves into a belligerent response, defending for their lives, making innovative use of limited possession and best of all, not conceding an inch when the going was at its toughest.

The substitution of Nunes at half-time may have been for a variety of reasons but for Wolves both on the pitch and in the stadium, the significance was abundantly clear. They had blinked first; they had pulled him out of the firing line, his entrails couldn’t hack it.

Molineux had already witnessed many a below par performance from this guy previously; loud thunder but few raindrops and here was more mediocrity to add to the list. And for the first time, nobody of a Wolves’ persuasion was remotely disappointed.

Instead, we basked in one of those all too rare moments of egregious ecstasy when with logic confounded, just about everything goes right. The no contest foot-race between the invigorated Neto and the trailing Ake for the opening goal superbly set the tone.

His colleagues responded in kind showing scant regard for reputations; Dawson expertly shackled Haaland quite superbly with Kilman and the always competitive Toti mopping up nearby. The central three were flanked outstandingly by Ait-Nouri until exhaustion prevailed and Semedo who faced down the attacking threat of Doku brilliantly before capping his contribution with a blistering overlap to create the winner for a buzzing Hwang.

Despite limited possession, Wolves as has been their want, didn’t just settle for hopeful containment and ultimately this positive mindset settled the outcome. No panic either; the game management was superb. Efficient, cool and together as one.

Remarkably, City simply ran up blind alleys and finished devoid of alternatives. Wolves were magnificent; the season isn’t immediately re-calibrated though and this result may stand in isolation, but all credit to the players. It was a delight to be there; Molineux at its absolute best!

Rob Cartwright

Call me Victor Meldrew, but I just don’t believe it!

Two days on and I still can’t believe what unfolded in front of my own eyes.

This wasn’t a lucky win. It wasn’t due to City having an “off day”. This was due to Wolves having a near perfect game-plan, with every single player fulfilling their role within in.

We did it for one half against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago, but this time we did it for the full game with no weak links. Even the four substitutes came on steadfast to see us through to a surprise victory.

How this happens in the same week as Luton and Ipswich away I just don’t know. Gary O’Neil’s best game as Wolves manager – probably as a manager anywhere!

Man City started fast, with lots of possession, trying to get ahead early on.

They didn’t reckon on a Wolves back five that were simply superb throughout. They restricted Man City to long range efforts that did not trouble Sa. Craig Dawson gave us a masterclass that I doubted he was now capable of. What a performance up against Haaland who was never given an inch, on or off the ball. I think he managed one (weak) shot in the entire game.

Ait-Nouri and Semedo both upped their game by 20 per cent too. Semedo giving us his best game for Wolves. This meant we were able to start counter-attacks quickly. I think this is what Match of the Day refers to as “Wolves were better in the turnovers”

Whatever, we did attack with direction and belief. Cunha, Hwang and, in particular, Neto were excellent in running with the ball and supporting the player with the ball by running into space. The Man City back three were run ragged.

Neto is looking like the pre-injury Neto we loved. Quick to turn, quick running and prepared to take defenders on with the ball. He single-handedly created the first goal. We deserved to be in front at the break, but I think everyone inside the stadium remained wary with the Liverpool game in mind.

Nunes was rightly booed every time he touched the ball. His performance was like most of those in a Wolves shirt; mediocre. I think he let the crowd get to him and was releasing the ball too quickly. This made me very happy. He was replaced at half-time.

I think the Molineux faithful upped the volume in the second half to get behind the team. This was important as City equalised on 56 minutes.

Let’s have a go at the ref now. Wolves attacking with Cunha on the ball about to enter their box. He was fouled by two City defenders who both had their arm on him in a scissor movement. Referee says no foul. Where was VAR?

A minute later City are on edge of our box where Gomes fouled the City forward. Free kick given. Free kick scored. It was very well taken, but I think Sa should have got a hand to push it wide.

Was it going to be backs against the wall for over half an hour?

Thankfully not. Wolves stuck to their task and kept attacking.

Cunha, Neto and Hwang were playing with intent. There was determination evident to go for another goal. We didn’t have to wait long either. A great run and cross by Semedo with Cunha and Hwang linking up in the box to score. We haven’t been able to say that often!

Doherty and Traore came on to add another outlet down the left side and more steel in the middle. Both did their job well.

It was a frenzied last 20 minutes, with both teams going for goal without creating anything clear cut.

The good thing is, we never looked in danger. We could enjoy the game. The support was good with everyone staying to acknowledge the performance at the end.

It was like the good old days. Are they about to return? Who knows!

James Pugh

The most ‘Wolves’ result in memory.

Following a draw to relegation candidates Luton, a self-implosion against championship side Ipswich, we manage to get three points off arguable one of the greatest teams of all time. The “Robin Hood” Wolverhampton Wanderers are back, stealing points from the rich and giving to the poor.

While Gazball was obviously a key factor in getting one over Pep (who at this point must have night terrors about the Molinuex), let’s not take away the individual performances that pulled us through.

Neto, oh my word, we really do have one of the best wingers in the league at our disposal. He did excellent to set up the goal and is on track to be the next player we will be absolutely finished with without. Considering his importance and the amount of fixtures coming up, I wouldn’t mind seeing his minutes dilated to prevent another horrific injury.

‘Ballon’ Dawson kept Haaland quiet with one of his best games in a Wolves shirt, partnered by an excellent performance from the skipper Kilman. Semedo, Sa, both Gomes’ and Lemina all excellent, and Cuhna did well to set up the well deserved goal for “the Korean guy” (as Pep referred to him), who is also undroppable right now.

As a team generally, the lethargic final 45 minutes prevalent in previous fixtures had gone (maybe due to the low back line), and the subs looked lively after coming on. Gary really did get everything right, giving a corner of the wolves fan base plenty to think about.

Overall, a desired, unexpected but very much needed result for Wolves, taking them slowly up the table to give Gary some breathing space. While Matheus Nunes is likely going to be sat on his sofa eating his fourth portion of humble pie, Wolves do not have this luxury with Villa next week.

Hopefully this is the game that really kicks the lads into gear, and brings back the Nuno-era mentality that we really can take on anyone and come away with something.

Fraser Bishop

Well, who saw that coming? If ever a week, or sequence of results, could sum Wolves up, it’s the last seven days.

Firstly, let’s talk about the atmosphere. As many have said, Molineux was back to its best on Saturday and the fantastic support definitely helped drive the team on. Whilst a pantomime villain helped, it was hostile and reiterated how having our backs against the wall and being an underdog brings the best out of our fans.

As for the performance, well you couldn’t have asked for any more. We all knew in order to get anything out the game, we’d have to be at our best, stick to the plan and ride our luck at times, which we did.

Defensively… outstanding. Haaland can’t have had many quieter games and it’s testament to us that we made him look human for a change. We’ve gone full circle with the five haven’t we? Tried to move away from it last season, but find ourselves setting up with it again. Personally, it depends on the opposition and this was certainly a game for it.

Also, how good was Neto? He seems to improve by the week or at least look more like his former self. The run for the first goal was electric and he was in the thick of it all afternoon with this pace and endeavour. Then you go to the other side of the front three, Hwang in the goals again. The only one who got clapped off the pitch at full time Tuesday, and his name was only rightly sang again after he smashed in his fourth of the season.

But that’s enough of picking out individuals because it was a great team performance where they all covered themselves in glory. A big result for O’Neil too, who answered his critics (myself included) perfectly.

Hopefully a similar performance and result next week on derby day.