ADAMA TRAORE was once again the scourge of Manchester City as he inspired a pulsating fight-back – and surely ended the champions’ title chances.
Back in October the Spaniard struck twice to lead Wolves to a memorable victory at the home of the champions.
Raul Jimenez drew Wolves level as City’s ten men couldn’t cope with WolvesCredit: Getty – Contributor
And here he grabbed another before creating an equaliser as 10-man City’s spirited resistence was finally broken.
Pep Guardiola’s men had to play the final 78 minutes without keeper Ederson – but looked set to claim a famous win as they raced two goals clear.
But on a night that was once again overshadowed by VAR controversy, the home side came charging back in stunning fashion.
Traore set up Raul Jimenez to equalise and then the Mexican teed up Matt Doherty to drill a last gasp winner beyond sub keeper Claudio Bravo.
The roof almost came off Molineux as their team completed a sensational double over City on a night of huge drama.
The game had exploded into life on 12 minutes as Diogo Jota chased a ball over the top and Ederson came tearing off his line.
The Brazilian’s foul could hardly be described as cynical but he did clip the home forward and Martin Atkinson produced a straight red card.
Striker Sergio Aguero – back in the starting line-up after a month out – had to be sacrificed to allow sub keeper Claudio Bravo to come on.
Ederson was red carded after clattering Diogo JotaCredit: Getty – Contributor
Last month it was the veteran Chilean who was sent off in the San Siro – after replacing the injured Ederson at half-time. His appearances hardly inspire confidence among players or supporters.
Even so, he got an early feel of it as Joao Moutinho planted his free-kick straight down his throat.
It looked likely to be a long night for the visitors but midway through the first half there was more drama.
Riyad Mahrez skipped away from Leander Dendoncker and had his foot trodden on by the Belgian.
The home fans clearly felt it was a dive but City’s players were convinced it should be a penalty and – after a long delay – VAR backed them up.
Sterling took the penalty and Patricio made a great low save but the VAR had spotted some encroachment by Conor Coady – who was the first to the rebound to clear – and ordered a retake.
Guardiola was urging someone else to take it but Sterling stepped up again and – incredibly – Patricio saved it again.
This time though the ball rebounded back into his path and he tapped it into the empty net for his 19th goal of the season.
VAR INFLAMING THE SITUATION
MyView by former Prem referee MARK HALSEY
I AM sick and tired of saying this but the on-field referee must make the final decision and go and view the monitor like they do in the Champions League, where there is no problem.
I fear referees are relying too much on VAR to make decisions. We saw that last weekend with Anthony Taylor and we’ve seen the same with Martin Atkinson.
It took two minutes 12 seconds between Riyad Mahrez being fouled to the award of the penalty and that is too long.
Dendoncker stood on Mahrez’s foot but if Atkinson went and viewed the monitor it wouldn’t take more than 60 seconds to make the call.
At present, the crowd are going ballistic at the referee and VAR. Fans’ anger would lessen if the on-field referee was allowed to make the decision. I’m convinced supporters would accept that.
Yes, VAR eventually got the decisions right but the process is not correct. VAR is inflaming the situation at the moment.
Wolves fan throws hip flask at Raheem Sterling as Man City star taps in rebound after missing TWO VAR penalties
Adama Traore got Wolves back into the gameCredit: EPA
The whole process had taken almost four-and-a-half minutes but – by the letter of the law at least – they probably got both right.
But at what cost. ‘It’s not football any more’ sang the raging home fans.
A hip flask appeared to be thrown at the celebrating City players from the home section – as tempers threatened to boil over.
And an announcement was made over the tannoy for supporters to urge them to stop hurling items onto the pitch.
Guardiola took off another of his forwards at the break – giving Mahrez a break and sending on young centre half Eric Garcia.
A golden chance came in the opening minutes of the second half as Raul Jiminez sent a delicious chip over the City defence but Jota skied his shot over the bar.
That was their best chance of the night and what a huge moment it looked just a few minutes later.
Kevin de Bruyne superb pass sent Sterling racing clear and he chipped the ball over Patricio in some style.
Mahrez went down theatricallyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
More VAR checks followed as Rodri gave Jota a nudge in the back – no penalty was given but it only increased the frustration around the home side.
Just as Sterling was basking in the glory of reaching 20 club goals for the season, he presented the home side with a way back in.
He gave the ball away and Traore tried his luck from 20 yards with the ball fizzing beyond Bravo into the corner.
It was very much game on and City were getting deeper and deeper as they clung on with Romain Saiss nodding a golden chance just wide.
He had another chance minutes later as Moutinho’s free-kick dropped for him at the back post but Rodri did enough to get it up and over the bar.
Raheem Sterling controversially gave City the leadCredit: Getty – Contributor
City looked as though they might hang on but Mendy – unforgivably dawdled – and Traore squared for Jimenez to tap home.
And with the clock ticking down Jimenez back heeled into Doherty’s path and he sent a low shot from the edge of the area past the out-stretched arm of Bravo.
Even then City could have taken something as Sterling’s free-kick hit the top of the bar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
