Football: Manchester City's EPL hopes in peril after loss to Wolverhampton

A dejected Raheem Sterling
A dejected Raheem Sterling Photo credit: Getty

Manchester City's slim hopes of defending their Premier League title all but evaporated on Friday as Wolves beat the Sky Blues 3-2 at Molineux.

Hosts Wolves fought their way from two goals down to deny Pep Guardiola's men who were reduced to 10 men in the 12th minute when goalkeeper Ederson was dismissed.

Diogo Jota latched onto a long ball and flicked it over the on-rushing goalkeeper, with the Brazilian bringing down the Wolves player outside the box.

Aguero was the fall guy, coming off for reserve Claudio Bravo.

City went in front in the 25th minute through Raheem Sterling.

After Riyad Mahrez went down in the area, VAR gave the penalty and Sterling's initial effort was saved by Rui Patricio.

But the spot-kick was ordered to be retaken due to encroachment and, after the goalkeeper saved again, Sterling tapped in the rebound.

Sterling struck again in the 50th minute, breaking clear of the Wolves defence and lifting the ball over Patricio.

The striker then lost possession in the middle of the park five minutes later and Adama Traore took full advantage to give Wolves hope when he fired into the bottom corner.

Wolves levelled eight minutes from time.

Traore nicked the ball off Benjamin Mendy, who was trying to shield it out of play for a goal kick, and crossed for Raul Jimenez to convert.

Wolves then completed the turnaround in the 89th minute as Matt Doherty fired past Bravo.

The result left defending champions City 14 points behind Liverpool with the Merseyside leaders enjoying a game in hand.

Reuters