Five Things Learned: Manchester City 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City achieved a narrow 1-0 victory against Wolves on Friday night in an important clash under the lights in the fight for UCL football.

Chances were few and far between for both sides, as there were only three shots on target registered by both sides combined across the 90 minutes. City struggled to create anything of any real substance with Wolves’ back five standing resolutely and closing the door on City.

As the half progressed, the visitors grew into the game, gaining confidence and building ahead of steam as they crafted two huge chances in quick succession. The first fell to Marshall Munetsi as Mathues Cunha spread a brilliant ball out wide to Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, leaving the City defence scrambling.

Bellegarde played the ball across the box to Munetsi, but the cross was overhit, and the Zimbabwe international was inches away from making it 0-1 with the goal agape. Not long after, a great effort by Ryan Ait-Nouri struck the woodwork, and the Algerian saw his follow-up cleared off the line by Josko Gvardiol.

Two very close shaves for Manchester City and a huge let-off for the Blues. The visitors would then rue those missed opportunities as ten minutes before the interval, the always tenacious Bernardo Silva won the ball back for City.

De Bruyne then played a clever one-two with Ilkay Gündoğan, with the former switching the play out to Jérémy Doku upon receiving the ball back. City’s electric number 11 used his exceptional pace to skip past Matt Doherty and pull the ball back brilliantly to an onrushing Kevin De Bruyne, who finished expertly into the corner.

Perhaps against the run of play, but nevertheless City led 1-0, and there could not have been a more popular goalscorer inside the Etihad. For the remainder of both the first half and the remainder of the game that followed, both sides created very little in regard to clear-cut chances.

The closest either team came being a Matheus Nunes strike that clipped the post. and City were content with managing the fixture and seeing out their one-goal advantage, which eventually they did successfully achieve, emerging 1-0 victors and securing a huge three points in the Champions League race. A nervy win for the Blues, but a win all the same.

Here are five things we learnt from this important victory!

Kevin De Bruyne: Farewell Tour

In what seems to be Kevin De Bruyne’s penultimate game in blue and white at the Etihad Stadium, the Belgian produced yet another exemplary performance, as he was the difference maker, as the midfielder has been on countless occasions in the last decade.

City’s number 17 made it his mission to secure three points for the former Premier League champions in their vendetta for the top five in the division, with De Bruyne securing the points with a great finish for the solitary goal – making him the second player to reach 250 goal contributions under Pep Guardiola

Moreover, with his pressing and defensive work as the captain, he led by an outstanding example as he chased every loose ball and covered every blade of grass in the engine room to secure the win for Pep Guardiola’s side. Another man of the match performance in an important game in the run-in. Déjà vu of previous years, perhaps.

Upon the club’s decision to reportedly not extend De Bruyne’s contract past this season. The question is where does City go from here, as his departure will, without a doubt, leave a seismic hole in the Blues’ team sheet that will be seemingly impossible to fill?

If that was to be Kevin De Bruyne’s last Etihad Stadium goal, then scoring the winner would certainly be a fitting farewell as we come to the realisation that after the 20th of May we may never see Kevin De Bruyne hit the back of the net at home after ten years of dedicated service. An outstanding player and a true servant to Manchester City Football Club.

Jeremy Doku: The ceiling is high

Since his arrival from the French first tier in the summer of 2023, Jeremy Doku has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting and dynamic players in the Premier League with his unrelenting willingness to take on his full back with his electrifying pace and sheer dynamism, devastating for opposition defenders.

He was, however, heavily criticised for his lack of a final product and was sometimes rather erratic in the final third as he struggled to find that killer finish or final pass. Many believed that his lack of output may limit Jeremy Doku’s opportunities at City, but in recent weeks he has improved exponentially.

On Friday evening evening, not only did he provide the all-important assist, but he was Manchester City’s biggest threat, and it’s clear that in the remaining fixtures this season the number 11 is clearly finding form at the right time.

With consecutive Premier League assists in the last two fixtures, the Belgian is clearly developing and beginning to add numbers to his game under Guardiola. With his exceptional talent and potential, if Doku continues on this trajectory, he could grow into a vital player for the Blues.

Gvardiol again

The Croatian has rightfully had his praises sung in recent weeks, as he has been revolutionary since he moved into his natural position of left centre-back, truly flourishing and reinstalling defensive stability at the back for Pep Guardiola’s side.

His overall defensive presence may well have been the reason City got over the line on Friday, making an invaluable clearance off the line from Ryan Ait-Nouri at 0-0 preventing Wolves from taking the lead, which could have potentially changed the whole complexion of the game.

His overall composure on the ball, versatility to venture into forward positions and command of the back four was top class and a huge reason as to why City got three points against Wolves and have taken a huge step towards Champions League qualification.

Gvardiol seems to only be getting better and better in recent weeks. Promising signs for City with one of the most promising young defenders on the planet on the books. As we have said previously, it’s going to be scary, but not for us.

A tribute to Bernardo Silva

Although the Portuguese has struggled to influence games in recent weeks, far from his usual magician-like self, as our number 20 reaches a huge milestone of 400 games for the Blues, it seems an almost impossible achievement to ignore.

Despite the fact he was relatively anonymous for large parts on Friday evening, he still worked tirelessly, another who covered every inch of the pitch for City and gave 110% as he does every week. He did, however, pop up when it mattered, as his endless running and high press paid off, allowing Bernardo to win the ball back in the move that led up to the goal. Struggling recently perhaps, but his effort is undeniable.

8 campaigns, as of last night, 400 appearances and perhaps another Manchester City legend who has played his penultimate game at the Etihad Stadium, Bernardo Silva. He may have had a poor season, but do not let that overshadow just how incredible a player he has been, another true club servant and a significant loss if he were to depart.

Not pretty but a win all the same

No free-flowing, expansive football this time out, as it was a rather cagey and anxious affair with both sides struggling to create any big chances. City may have been fortunate to emerge with all three points, considering the two huge chances missed by the visitors.

But at this stage in the campaign, it’s not about performance; it’s about getting points on the board, which Manchester City did last night. That was a huge point in the Champions League race as the Sky Blues climb to third, just three points behind second place Arsenal – with the runner-up position well and truly in their grasp.

Regardless of how Pep Guardiola’s side played on the night, that is now purely trivial. A huge win which now puts the former four in a row Premier League champions in pole position to secure UCL football.