Manchester City stopped their Premier League slide with a hard-fought victory over Wolves, earning their first league win in four matches despite a contentious VAR moment that overshadowed the result. Pep Guardiola’s decision to drop Erling Haaland and Phil Foden proved effective, as first-half goals from Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo put City in control.
The key flashpoint came when referee Farai Hallam, on his top-flight debut, refused to award a penalty for a Yerson Mosquera handball after a pitchside review. The call angered Guardiola, who criticised what he sees as a pattern of unfavourable decisions against his side, while Wolves manager Rob Edwards supported the referee’s judgement.
Wolves improved significantly after the interval following tactical changes, but City’s early dominance was enough to secure the points. The win offers Guardiola some relief after a difficult run, while Wolves, despite defeat, showed continued signs of progress under Edwards.
