Wolves vs Manchester City – as it happened: Hosts hold on for point in hard-fought draw against the champions

Re-live all the action from Molineux Stadium

Wolves celebrate equalising against Manchester City (Getty)

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City visit Wolves in the day’s early kick-off in their bid to continue their 100% record after their victories against Arsenal and Huddersfield Town.

The champions have scored eight goals altogether in their victories at the Emirates and at home to the Terriers, and will look to add to that figure when they face the newly-promoted side to set the benchmark for their title rivals.

Wolves demonstrated the quintessential staunch resistance of promoted sides at home when they secured a 2-2 draw against Everton on the opening weekend. Nuno will hope that spirit will return after their ill-fated defeat at Leicester last weekend, where they hit the woodwork on two occasions.

Follow all the action below with our live blog:

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What time does it start?

Wolves vs Manchester City kicks off at 12:30pm (BST).

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Premier League and Main Event channels. Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the match via the SkyGo app.

Highlights will be shown at 10:30pm on BBC One.

It’s a big game for…

Helder Costa: The 24-year-old Portuguese was hugely impressive in pre-season, but has so far been unable to replicate those displays in the Premier League. The winger failed to exploit gaps in the opposition defences against Everton and Leicester with his undeniable pace, and seems to be suffering from a lack of self-belief. The former Monaco man will be key in Wolves’ counter-attacking plan this weekend and will need to step up his performances in order to trouble the City defence.

One: Wolves have won just two of the 12 encounters with Manchester City this century, with their victories coming in October 2003 and October 2010, both of which were at Molineux.

Remember when…

The most famous encounter between the two sides probably occurred all the way back in March 1974, when the teams faced each other in the League Cup final. Wolves’ Kenny Hibbitt had given his side the lead a minute before the break, but Colin Bell equalised a minute before the hour mark. The game was decided by John Richards five minutes from time after he rifled home a deflected cut-back.

Player to watch…

Sergio Aguero – The Argentinian was hailed this week by Alan Shearer as the best foreign import the league has ever seen after he scored the ninth Premier League hat-trick of his Manchester City career against Huddersfield. The 30-year-old faces fierce competition at City but it seems that the threat is bringing out his best form, which is an ominous sign for the Molineux faithful.

(Getty (Getty)

Past three-meetings…

Manchester City 0 Wolves 0 (Manchester City won 4-1 on penalties), League Cup, October 2017

Wolves 0 Manchester City 2 (Aguero, Nasri), Premier League, April 2012

Manchester City 3 (Dzeko, Kolarov, Johnson) Wolves 1 (Hunt pen), Premier League, October 2011

Form guide…

Wolves: DL

Manchester City: WWW

Odds…

Wolves to win: 10/1

Manchester City to win: 1/4

Draw: 27/5

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

[25 August 2018 13:18 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

45 Min: Wolves 0-0 Manchester City

The hosts have certainly put their best foot forward as they head into the break level on terms with the champions.

Guardiola's defence has looked shaky at times, and more composure from the Wolves attack could have seen more clear-cut chances being created.

The best chances have still fallen to the visitors, with Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero hitting the bar and post respectively.

All to play for in the second half!

[25 August 2018 13:23 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

A frustrating afternoon for Sterling and Manchester City so far.

[25 August 2018 13:25 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

This is only the fourth time in 20 matches that Pep Guardiola's side have failed to score in the opening 45 minutes.

Can they break the deadlock in the second half? Second half action is just a few minutes away.

[25 August 2018 13:31 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Min 46: ​Sergio Aguero gets us going again for the second half! 

[25 August 2018 13:36 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Min 49: City have begun applying the pressure again on Wolves, and it comes to a climax with Kompany's header, which he cannot direct on target, from Gundogan's corner.

[25 August 2018 13:41 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Min 55: Wolves have struggled to retain the ball in transition and that is penning them into the own half with City looking to open them up.

[25 August 2018 13:43 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Min 56: Huge chance for Wolves!

Helder Costa manages to flick the ball past Laporte and is through on goal, but he delays his shot and Ederson saves.

[25 August 2018 13:45 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Manchester City (Boly 56)

 

And the Championship champions from last season lead the Premier League winners from last season!

Ruben Neves swings a ball in from the left, and Boly dives low to find the net. Replays do however suggest that the Frenchman handled the ball into the net.

[25 August 2018 13:47 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Min 58: It is fair to say that Willy Boly is in the thick of the action, blocking a David Silva effort immediately after his goal.

[25 August 2018 13:52 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Min 64: Gundogan's effort has demonstrated a measured response from City to going behind.

Patricio is comfortably behind it mind. Pep has also decided to change things, sending on Gabriel Jesus for Bernardo Silva