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Man City vs Wolves LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

Follow all the action live from the Etihad

Michael Jones
Saturday 11 December 2021 15:33 GMT
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Pep Guardiola: "It's always a tough game when we play Wolves"

It was the type of game against mid-table opposition at the Etihad that Manchester City typically make light work of and this victory, earned by the 100th Premier League goal of Raheem Sterling’s career, will keep the defending champions at the top of the table this weekend, no matter what happens elsewhere. City were good value for their win, too, improving considerably in the second half.

Yet that improvement and the three points only came once Wolverhampton Wanderers had been reduced to 10 men by one of the most ridiculous, self-inflicted sendings-off you are likely to see this season for Raul Jimenez, while the winning goal only came from a debatable penalty that summed up an inconsistent, at times unauthoritative display by referee Jonathan Moss.

Overall, this was a forgettable affair, and only Jimenez’s bizarre red card warrants committing to memory. At the end of the first half, after already being cautioned for a questionable foul on Rodri, Jimenez refused to move out of the way for the subsequent free-kick then immediately intercepted it, inviting Moss to show him a second yellow and a red.

Wolves’ game plan up to that point had produced a dour, lifeless first half that was nevertheless frustrating City’s attempts to break them down and ultimately working in their favour. Jimenez’s sending off ripped that blueprint up and City proceeded to rip Wolves apart, eventually taking the lead through Sterling and dominating against 10-man opponents in a manner not reflected by the 1-0 scoreline.

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

30 mins: Andy Robertson is tormenting Matty Cash and Marvelous Nakamba. He’s taken the ball into the box two or three times now and could have had a couple of penalties but none of the decisions have gone Liverpool’s way.

At the other end the ball comes up to Young on the inside left. He dinks the ball into the box and heads it over Alisson who’s comes flying off his line. From the byline Young tries to cross the ball to Watkins for a tap in but the pass is intercepted and Liverpool manage to work it clear.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:33

GOAL! Chelsea 0 - 1 Leeds ⚽️

28 mins: Over at Stamford Bridge Leeds have taken the lead after Daniel James won a penalty and Raphinha converted. Chelsea can’t afford to drop points if they want to stay in the title race so they’ve got work to do.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:30

GOAL! Arsenal 2 - 0 Southampton ⚽️

27 mins: Arsenal have doubled their lead at the Emirates. Tomiyasu swings a cross deep into the box where Tierney has a volley blocked. The ball loops into the air and he heads it across the six-yard box where Martin Odegaard taps it in.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:29

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

26 mins: Watkins slides into a tackle on Fabinho from behind and goes through the Liverpool midfielder to win the ball. Liverpool are awarded a free kick and Watkins goes in the book.

Alexander-Arnold floats the set piece into the penalty area but Young is first to the ball and heads it away.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:27

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

24 mins: Back at Anfield Aston Villa are finding their feet in midfield. Ramsey wins a free kick in the middle of the pitch after drawing a foul from Henderson. It’s worked out to Ashley Young on the right side and he wins a throw in inside of Liverpool’s final third.

The ball comes to John McGinn who breaks into space in the wide area and sends a sharp cross low into the box but Joel Matip deals with it for Liverpool.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:25

GOAL! Arsenal 1 - 0 Southampton ⚽️

21 mins: Arsenal have taken the lead at the Emirates. Bukayo Saka drops a shoulder to sprint away from Jan Bednarek and carry the into the box he picks out Alexandre Lacazette who curls a fine finish into the top corner! It’s the first Premier League goal of the afternoon. How many more will we get?

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:22

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

18 mins: Save! Alexander-Arnold swings another pinpoint cross in from the right tip of the box and picks out Robertson at the back post. He fires a headed effort at goal, there’s a deflection off Cash but Emiliano Martinez leaps low to his right and keeps the effort out with a solid right hand.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:19

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

15 mins: Virgil van Dijk goes in the book for Liverpool. Targett flicks a fine pass up the pitch to Ollie Watkins who does brilliantly to bring it down and shift the ball over to the left of the box. Van Dijk goes with him but can’t win the ball and eventually brings down the Villa striker.

Ezri Konsa takes the resultant free kick and drills it straight into the side netting of Alisson’s goal.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:16

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

12 mins: Close! Liverpool slickly work the ball over the pitch and out to Andy Robertson on the left wing. He pulls the ball back to the front of the box where Mo Salah lets the ball run to Alexander-Arnold. The defender runs onto the ball and blasts it at goal only to be denied by Matt Targett blocking the shot out for a corner.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:14

Liverpool 0 - 0 Aston Villa

9 mins: Penalty shout for Liverpool!

Salah receives the ball on the right side and weaves his way to the corner of the box before flicking a pass over to Mane. He brings the ball under control and plays a one-two with Salah to get into the middle of the box. Matty Cash gets a hand to Mane who flings himself to the floor and wants a penalty.

The referee has a good view of the incident but lets play continue and VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.

Michael Jones11 December 2021 15:11

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