Ahead of this weekend’s clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux, let’s take a look at a handful of the most memorable matches between the pair.
Wolves sit on just one point from their opening eight games, and manager Gary O’Neil goes into the contest with Pep Guardiola’s side under huge pressure.
City remain unbeaten from their first eight contests, but did drop points in two of their last three games before the international break, at home to Arsenal and on the road at Newcastle United.
Wolves 3-2 Manchester City - December 2019
Perhaps the most thrilling night in Molineux’s Premier League history, as a Wolves come back that astounded fans saw the Wanderers defy the odds and beat the champions.
The night started in dire fashion for the visitors, when Ederson was sent off after the Brazilian brought down Diogo Jota.
Despite this set back, City earned a 2-0 lead just after half-time courtesy of a Raheem Sterling brace.
Molineux came alive in the 55th minute, as Adama Traore leathered home to give the Wolves faithful a glimmer of hope.
What followed was remarkable, as a close-range finish from Raul Jimenez and a driven strike from Matt Doherty firmly swung the pendulum into the hosts’ favour.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men held on and claimed all three points, on a night that will live long in the memory for anyone in attendance.
Manchester City 0-2 Wolves - October 2019
That famous night in the Black Country was the second victory in an unbelievable double for Wolves that season, after a Traore brace earned the Old Gold a 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium just two months earlier.
The away side had just 24% of the ball, and conceded 18 shots to seven, but survived under immense pressure throughout.
Jimenez was at his brilliant best, as he set up both chances which were expertly finished by Traore.
Nuno’s side were usually highly competitive against the top teams, but even for their standards, it was a remarkable double.
Wolves 2-1 Manchester City - October 2010
Mick McCarthy’s side sat on just six points from a possible 27 when fourth placed City rolled in at Molineux in 2010.
The visitors, under the stewardship of Roberto Mancini, took an expected lead early on through Emmanuel Adebayor from the penalty spot after Richard Stearman brought down David Silva.
Serbian midfielder Nenad Milijas equalised for the home side moments later though, with a low, drilled effort that defied goal keeper Joe Hart.
Dave Edwards netted Wolves’ winner just prior to the hour mark as the Welshman slid in to finish after Kevin Doyle’s effort had been palmed away.
It was a crucial turning point after an eight-match winless run for the hosts, and one that proved vital for McCarthy’s men as they survived the drop by just one point on a dramatic final day.
Wolves 2-1 Manchester City - September 2023
Despite City’s dominance of the English top flight since Pep Guardiola’s arrival, Molineux has always been a place for a potential trip-up, and that point was once again proved last season, as Gary O’Neil’s players caused another major shock in the Black Country.
Guardiola’s team came into the contest unbeaten but without the Spaniard on the touchline, as he served a one-match ban.
Ruben Dias turned the ball into his own net in the opening period after a fantastic run from Pedro Neto to give the hosts the lead.
World Cup winner Julian Alvarez restored parity for the visitors early in the second half, when the Argentine curled a flighted free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.
Hwang Hee-Chan had other ideas though, as he finished from close range to end a run of six straight defeats against City for the Wanderers.
The away side would go on to win the title with 91 points ahead of Arsenal’s 89, but Wolves caused a rare blip on an otherwise sensational campaign.
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Wolves 0-2 Manchester City - April 2012
A clash that is memorable to the Molineux faithful for all the wrong reasons.
After three years in the Premier League, Wolves’ fate was sealed and they returned to the second tier thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri.
It marked the end of a miserable survival effort from the Wanderers, who were on a run of nine successive home defeats at the time, but it was an afternoon that pumped the pressure on Manchester United, as City closed in on a first Premier League title.
The rest of the story for City needs no explanation, as the season culminated in Aguero’s last-gasp winner against QPR to win the title on the final day.
A campaign of polar opposites for the two clubs, who meet for the 131st occasion on Sunday with Wolves once again battling at the bottom of the table, while City could go top if Liverpool slip up against Chelsea at Anfield.
