Blunt Blues must find an edge: Lampard
WOLVES: Rui Patricio, Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss, Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny (Vinagre 73), Traore, Jimenez (Bennett 90), Jota (Neto 79). Subs not used: Vallejo, Cutrone, Ruddy, Kilman.
MAN CITY: Ederson, Walker, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Mendy, De Bruyne (Gundogan 67), Rodri, B Silva, Mahrez (Garcia 46), Aguero (Bravo 14), Sterling.
Subs not used: Zinchenko, Angelino, Cancelo, Foden.
Sent off: Ederson 14
Man of the match: Traore
Match rating: 8/10
Referee: Martin Atkinson
TEN-MAN Manchester City blew a 2-0 lead to lose a chaotic game at Wolves and hand Liverpool another huge boost in the title race.
Matt Doherty’s 89th-minute strike earned the hosts a stunning 3-2 comeback win after Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez also struck on a rollercoaster night which threatened to boil over.
Raheem Sterling’s brace either side of half-time had given the visitors a commanding lead following a crazy first half.
Sterling’s first came when he netted the rebound after Rui Patricio had twice saved his penalty, given by VAR.
The spot-kick was retaken after VAR ruled encroachment to add to a thrilling opening after Ederson was sent off for taking down Diogo Jota.
The Football Association will also investigate an incident when a hip flask appeared to be thrown at Sterling from the home fans after his first goal.
But Wolves’ second-half fightback left the defending champions third and 14 points adrift of Liverpool, with the Premier League crown surely heading for Merseyside.
Match-winner Doherty said: “It’s pretty special. They were 2-0 up at one point. I can hardly hear myself speak!
“Just to come back was unbelievable. We never give up and that sums up our form at the moment.
“I was a bit disappointed that we went 2-0 down because we should have made it easier for ourselves as they were down to 10 men. We need to recover and go again in two days.
“He (Adama Traore) is unbelievable and is a pleasure to play with. He scores goals and gets assists now. He is in the form of his life and has been unbelievable this season!”
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo was thrilled with his side’s fightback.
“It was a good night, a very good night,” he said.
“The game was fantastic. Everything changes with City with one men less but it was very good.
“I told my players to keep doing the same things and finding solutions. More important is that we stayed in the game.
“We didn’t do that, we conceded the second goal and made it hard for ourselves but it was a fantastic reaction. It was very good, the goals were nice, just very good!”
On the VAR decisions, he added: “I was thinking maybe I don’t speak about VAR. I cannot speak to them [the referees] directly. Now is the time to get things right. They are decisions that effect everything. I have only seen things on the screen.
“He touches Riyad Mahrez on the foot but is it enough? I will not be a part of the discussions but they will continue. We must trust VAR and the referee. They see the image.
“If decisions are equal then everything will be okay. If you take the referee to the screen and he sees it in slow motion then he can decide better. He knows the pace of the game. Slow motion in VAR cannot judge. You know what I am saying? Let’s trust more the referee.”
Sharpen up: Frank Lampard wants more from his attackers
FRANK Lampard said his attacking players had to do more to break down visiting teams after Thursday’s 2-0 loss to Southampton left Chelsea with two straight Premier League defeats at Stamford Bridge for the first time in eight years.
Goals from Michael Obafemi and Nathan Redmond gave Southampton a surprise win while Chelsea’s struggles against a tight defence left Lampard facing questions on whether he needs to add creative players in the January transfer window.
Chelsea have been cleared to sign players in January after the Court of Arbitration for Sport this month halved a transfer ban imposed on the club.
“I learn about the players, particularly in games like that,” said Lampard.
Fourth-placed Chelsea — beaten by Bournemouth on their own patch earlier this month — last lost two successive games at home in November 2011 under Andre Villas-Boas.
“Players have to go one v one if you’re an offensive player, mix up your game and break defensive lines because teams aren’t stupid,” Lampard added. “You need to do more in an attacking sense.
“You cannot have 70% of possession and not do more.”
Chelsea travel to 11th-placed Arsenal tomorrow.