Wolves Nick a Point from the Man City Machine

On second thought, never assume anything when the human factor is involved.

Just when it seemed like Manchester City was on its way to total and absolute domination of all things football, a side whose glory lies well in its past rose up to argue the contrary.

Of course, the Wolverhampton Wanderers have money now, too.

It's already clear to see that they're pretty damn wisely.

 

Picking up Portuguese international 'keeper Rui Patrício to a four-year deal was a brilliant move in Wolves' plans for an extended Premiership stay.

Of course, Sporting Lisbon's a bit steamed about it. Dudes are in a crazy situation down there, though, and they'd better get it sorted before trying to reclaim players.

 

Besides a brilliant performace from Patrício, here's what else it takes to put together a 1-1 home draw against the omnipresent Premiership champions when they visit the West Midlands:

• Three hit posts as if they were magnetic or something, and
• No VAR, and
• If not the hand of God, the elbow of Wolfdom.

Pep Guardiola's side is gonna get every club's best effort all season long, because of course they would.

 

With 30,000 frenzied supporters at Molineux Stadium raising Wolves' adrenaline level, the homeboys looked like the side that won promotion last season.

Maybe the Citizens dominated ball possession, but Wolves were anything but on their heels. Energy ran high and space was earned. The Blues hit the post twice in the first-half. The first came through Sergio Agüero, and the second happened after Raheem Sterling's long-range bomb was incredibly saved by Patrício before clanging off the bar:

 

Fate offered a sly grin in the 57th minute when João Moutinho crossed into Willy Boly, who did something to direct the ball toward twine.

Still, no official replay meant the goal stood:

City took the decision like troopers. Dudes just shrugged and went about their business.

The breakthrough finally occurred in the 69th minute. Ilkay Gundogan’s set-piece went straight to Aymeric Laporte’s head, and he made no mistake:

City rocked the woodwork for the third time after five minutes of free football.

That's putting it mildly. Agüero hammered a heatseeker:

 

Mark it down as the last of City's 18 shots in this one.

Dudes were everything but deadly accurate on the day and could only admire Patrício's gallantry in a stoic sorta way.

This was a only an elbow-enabled hiccup, and they left the ground like they knew it.