Manchester City secured a controversial 2-1 win over Wolves when John Stones' final goal was conceded after a VAR review to send the champions to the top of the Premier League on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's team fell behind early in the first half after Jorgen Strand Larsen's surprising opening goal for Wolves. Josko Gvardiol pulled City back level before the break and with just seconds left in stoppage time, Stones headed the visitors to a dramatic sixth win in eight league games this season. At the bottom of the table, Wolves claimed Stones' goal should have been disallowed for offside and Bernardo Silva's interference on goalkeeper Jose Sa.
But referee Chris Kavanagh ignored their protests after consulting the pitch monitor.
City is two points ahead of former leaders Liverpool, who can regain pole position with a victory over Chelsea later on Sunday.
In the hunt for a fifth consecutive English title, Guardiola's men have set a new club record. Their unbeaten run in the league has reached 31 games since their loss to Aston Villa in December.
Only six times in English top-flight history has a side gone more than 30 games without losing, most recently Liverpool's 44-match run between 2019 and 2020.
City are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions this season, having avenged last season's 2-1 defeat on their previous visit to Wolves.
The champions were shocked after just seven minutes when Nelson Semedo's pinpoint cross found Strand Larsen at the far post and the striker eluded Stones for an easy finish from close range.
Erling Haaland is Norway's most celebrated striker, but for once his international teammate stole the spotlight from him.
It was the fifth time in seven league games that City fell behind.
They hit back almost immediately when Ilkay Gundogan's dummy gave Silva space for a low shot from twelve yards that was pushed away by Sa.
Guardiola's side were uncharacteristically sloppy at the back and were almost broken through again when Semedo sprinted through a gaping hole in the visitors' defense but was denied by Ederson's save.
Relief from the city
Guardiola was a picture of frustration as he prowled and scowled along the touchline.
Savinho's aerial shot drew derisive cheers from Wolves fans, but Gvardiol silenced the locals in the 33rd minute.
The Croatian defender took possession on the edge of the Wolves area and looked up to set his sights before unleashing a beautiful curler that whistled into the top corner.
Gvardiol's fifth goal in his last seven away games in the league capped a period of City pressure that kept Wolves confined in their own territory until half-time.
Haaland had scored eight goals in his four previous league matches against Wolves, at an average of once every 40 minutes.
This time he was much more anonymous and it took 49 minutes before he finally got a chance, which the 24-year-old squandered with a complete miskick from eight yards.
Facing Wolves' massive defence, City centre-back Ruben Dias tried his luck with a 25-yard drive that was well saved by Sa.
Matheus Cunha came close to putting Wolves ahead again against the run of play with a thrilling drive that was just wide of the target.
Gundogan's free-kick went wide and Jack Grealish's shot was held by Sa as City continued to search before eventually getting the winner.
Stones rose to head home from a corner, with Silva initially blocking Sa's view and making brief contact with the keeper before diving down as the ball flew past him.
The goal was initially disallowed, but VAR told Kavanagh to look at the on-pitch monitor and he overruled his decision as Guardiola and his players danced a relieved jig of joy.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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