Manchester City held off Wolverhampton's late surge to claim their first league win of the new year.
Manchester City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 in the 23rd round of the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on the 25th (KST). City, who needed to snap a recent slump, raised the tempo from the start and kept control of the game.
With this victory, Man City moved to 46 points (14 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses) to sit second in the league. They are four points behind leaders Arsenal, who have played one more game.
The deadlock was broken after just six minutes. Matheus Nunes delivered a cross from the right that Omar Marmoush tucked in at the near post. The opener came with Erling Haaland starting on the bench. City continued to create chances through Josko Gvardiol Semyon? (Note: original text has '세메뇨' which is Antoine Semenyo?) and Şerqi? (original '셰르키') and in first-half stoppage time Antoine Seme? (Bernardo Silva's pass was received by Antoine Semyon who added a left-footed shot for a second goal.)
Wolverhampton were pinned back for much of the first half but launched a response in the second. They threatened through set pieces and wide crosses. Mosquera's header struck the crossbar, and shots from Mané and Gomes were repeatedly blocked by City's defense. In the closing stages they pressed with consecutive corners but were thwarted each time by Marc Guéhi and Silva's clearances.
Hwang Hee-chan's name was also on the scoresheet in the match report. Hwang, who started, held up the front until the early stages of the second half. Until he was substituted in the 26th minute of the second half for Toru Arokodare, he played the role of link in attacks with his runs into space and pressing. Although it did not lead to a goal, his forward movements stood out as Wolverhampton regained momentum in the second half.
Man City brought on Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku in the middle of the second half to manage the game. They did not concede despite Wolverhampton's late push and comfortably saw out five minutes of stoppage time.
City, desperate to end their slump, answered with the result. Wolverhampton lost, but the resistance they showed in the second half, including from Hwang Hee-chan, gives hope for their next match.
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