UNBOLYVABLE
Defender scores from blatant handball to nick points off City, but Pep avoids mentioning VAR
PEP GUARDIOLA was happy to hand it to the hosts after the final whistle – despite Willy Boly’s disputed goal.
The Spaniard paid tribute to Nuno Espirito Santo’s Premier League new boys, even though they profited from a strike that should never have been.
Guardiola (left) refused to bellyache, swerving any arguments about VAR after both teams made their point.
He was outvoted on the issue last season – shouted down by others after a vote.
And he wasn’t about to revisit the subject, even though he was on the wrong end of referee Martin Atkinson’s decision as Boly’s 57th-minute effort – that clearly deflected into the net off his arm – was wiped out by Aymeric Laporte’s thumping header.
Instead, Guardiola chose to highlight the value of a point at a club that truly is reawakening under Santo’s leadership.
He said: “We knew the quality of our opponents. This is a good point for us.
“I don’t like playing teams who have been promoted so early. They are full of enthusiasm.
“I prefer to play them in November or December. They were well-organised. It was a game we expected.
“We created a lot of chances. I know chances don’t count. And there was a lack of rhythm.
“We didn’t defend their counter-attacks well. But, overall, I’m satisfied.”
Manchester City’s manager did have reason to gripe – he walked on to the Molineux pitch to have a few words with the match official afterwards – but would not be drawn on it in public.
Asked about Boly’s effort, he snapped: “I didn’t see it. I’m not the referee.”
Then, pressed on his views about the use of television replays in decision-making, he tersely replied: “I don’t work in the Premier League.”
However, he, too, had reason to be pleased, despite the fact that it
I don’t like playing teams who have been promoted so early. They are full of enthusiasm
It requires patience and organisation to play against City. This will give us the confidence to build
took a header by a defender from a set-piece to find the equaliser.
Three times the woodwork was tested.
Sergio Aguero fired against the foot of a post in the first action of the game.
Then, Wolves keeper Rui Patricio pulled off a magnificent right-hand stop to prevent Raheem Sterling from claiming a 25-yarder.
And, in the final seconds, Aguero clipped a free-kick against the bar.
But that description paints an unfair picture. Wolves played a full part.
A packed Molineux stayed patient while Santo’s game-plan unfolded.
The hosts are newcomers to this level of football, but they appear to be quick learners. Gone was the nervousness that was the hallmark of their opening game against Everton a fortnight ago.
After an opening half that was spent mainly on the back foot, Wolves grew in confidence and drew first blood after a corner was cleared back out wide.
Joao Moutinho swung over a cross that was missed first by the head of Matt Doherty and then by Boly. Although the defender motioned his head towards the ball, it went in off his arm. VAR would have ruled the goal out, but it was missed by the officials. Molineux erupted, but the supporters’ joy was short-lived. Darling of the South Bank, Ruben Neves, had a chance to add a second, but failed to hit the target. It proved to be an expensive miss. Moments later, Ilkay Gundogan’s free-kick on the right-hand edge of the box gave Laporte the opportunity to charge on to the ball and thump home a header in the 69th minute. Asked about the slice of good fortune regarding his side’s goal, Santo (below left) said: “It happened against us last week against Leicester.
“It happens. It’s how you react to the situation.
“The referee is there to judge. It is for the players just to focus on their task and their applications. Deflections happen in football.”
But there was certainly cause for hope that this isn’t going to be an ordinary season for a side that has been elevated from the Championship.
Santo added: “We’ve had the best team here – the Premier League champions.
“We had to play by rules that give us confidence to play.
“It requires patience and organisation to play against them.
“We’re improving and this result will give us the confidence to build.”