Two late goals for Manchester City prevented any late comeback for Wolves, as the table-topping visitors ran out 4-0 winners at Compton Park, with both sides ending the match with 10 players.
The scoreline was harsh given James McPike’s side contained their tough opposition for large periods of the game and created chances of their own, especially in the first half.
It took until the 23rd minute for the first opportunity to arise, and it fell Wolves’ way when Fabian Reynolds pounced on a loose pass, before he drove into the box and fired a left-footed shot into the side netting.
The old gold winning the ball back in dangerous areas was a recurring theme throughout the game, as the youngsters looked to implement a high press whilst maintaining a high defensive line, both of which they had been working on.
However, in the 25th minute, the visitors broke the deadlock as Leo Shahar was dispossessed, before the ball was squared to Dan Ogwuru who tapped home from close range.
The response from Wolves was good as Shahar fired over from a free-kick in a dangerous position in search of the equaliser.
Shortly after, Mason Rees played a fantastic defence splitting pass from inside his own half, which Reynolds latched onto but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper.
At the other end, a loose pass from Stan Amos gave possession back to the visitors, but he recovered well by comfortably saving Ogwuru’s side-footed shot from the edge of the area.
The whistle then blew for half-time and immediately after, Seb Naylor was dismissed following a conversation with the referee, meaning the visitors went into the break a goal up, but a man down.
Half-time | Wolves 0-1 Man City
During the interval, McPike switched to a back four in order to utilise the man advantage and be more attacking, as he took defender Fil Mabete off for striker Fabian Salmon.
10 minutes into the second half, Conor McLeod and Reynolds combined down the left, with the latter getting on the end of a cutback and shooting over the bar.
Despite an encouraging start, Wolves were sucker-punched as Man City doubled their lead on the break, with Ogwuru getting his second of the game which mirrored his first, as he tapped home from close range after Justin Oboavwoduo had squared it to him.
With 15 minutes remaining, Hayden Carson was dismissed after a slide tackle by the corner flag, which the referee deemed to be dangerous, meaning both sides were down to 10 men.
Going into added time, the visitors added a third via Joel Ndala who went on a solo run before coolly slotting home.
With the last kick of the game, a fourth goal was scored when Oboavwoduo’s shot crept in from the edge of the area.
With that, the referee blew for full time as Wolves fell to a 4-0 defeat, which was cruel as McPike’s side were well in the game with a few minutes remaining and played their part in an entertaining encounter.
Full-time | Wolves 0-4 Man City
REACTION
After the defeat, McPike admitted he felt the scoreline did not reflect his side’s efforts, and said he was pleased with the overall performance. He said: “I think the scoreline flatters them slightly, they’re an excellent team but I thought we contained them for large parts.
“We created one or two chances ourselves, so I thought it was a harsh scoreline that doesn’t reflect the game.”
On playing a high line
“We were conscious that we did not want them to have a lot of time on the ball, because they get into a rhythm and find the pockets and spaces.
“We wanted to have a go, get near them and put pressure on them but the back line needed to be high for us to do that.”
On playing against 10 men for 25 minutes
“You want to have a go, you’ve got the extra man, it’s risk and reward, isn’t it?
“You can say alright we will stay in the same shape, and nothing really happens, but I think it’s the right thing to do to have a go.
“We changed the shape slightly to a back four to try and get some more overloads.”
On learning from facing tough opposition
“It’s important lessons from our lads, the one v one’s, defending and attacking, that’s what the game is all over the pitch.
“I think they are exceptional at that, off balancing defenders and running past people.
“It’s good for our lads to see what the level is, and they were the level today, but I was really happy with our players, they gave it absolutely everything and ran as hard as they could for each other.”
NEXT FIVE
- Sunderland (H) 21/03
- Liverpool (A) 01/04
- Leeds United (H) 22/04
- Manchester United (A) 25/04
- Middlesbrough (A) 29/04
TEAMS
Wolves | Amos, Shahar, Diomande, Mabete (Salmon 46), Carson, Igbinoghene (White 63), McLeod (Bradbury 58), Rees, Edozie (Patterson 75), Harper, Reynolds.
Unused subs | Ji.
Man City | Murray-Jones, Wright, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne, Naylor, Okeke (Muir 81), Dada-Mascoli (Gray 81), O’Reilly (Harrison 76), Oboavwoduo, Ogwuru (Alfa-Ruprecht 69), Ndala.
Unused subs | Whatmuff.
Report by Fraser Bishop
