Manchester City snatched a controversial 2-1 win at Wolves as John Stones‘ last-gasp goal was given after a VAR review to send the champions to the top of the Premier League on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side trailed to Jorgen Strand Larsen’s surprise opener for Wolves early in the first half. Josko Gvardiol dragged City back on level terms before the interval and, with just seconds left in stoppage-time, Stones headed the visitors to a dramatic sixth win in eight league games this season. Bottom of the table Wolves claimed Stones’ goal should have been disallowed for offside and interference by Bernardo Silva on keeper Jose Sa.

But referee Chris Kavanagh ignored their protests after consulting the pitchside monitor.

City are two points clear of previous leaders Liverpool, who can reclaim pole position with a victory against Chelsea later on Sunday.

Chasing a fifth successive English title, Guardiola’s men have set a new club record as their unbeaten run in the league reached 31 games since their loss to Aston Villa in December.

In English top-flight history, only six times has a side gone more than 30 matches without losing, most recently Liverpool’s run of 44 games from 2019 to 2020.

City are undefeated in 11 games in all competitions this season after avenging last season’s 2-1 defeat on their previous visit to Wolves.

The champions were rocked after just seven minutes when Nelson Semedo’s pin-point low cross reached Strand Larsen at the far post and the striker eluded Stones for a simple close-range finish.

Erling Haaland is the most celebrated Norway striker but his international team-mate had stolen the spotlight from him for once.

It was the fifth time in seven league games that City had fallen behind.

They nearly hit back immediately as Ilkay Gundogan‘s dummy gave Silva space for a low shot from 12 yards that was pushed away by Sa.

Unusually sloppy at the back, Guardiola’s side were almost breached again when Semedo sprinted through a gaping hole in the visitors’ defence, only to be denied by Ederson‘s save.

City relief

Guardiola was a picture of frustration as he prowled and scowled on the touchline.

Savinho’s air-shot drew mocking cheers from Wolves fans, but Gvardiol silenced the locals in the 33rd minute.

Taking possession on the edge of the Wolves area, the Croatian defender looked up to set his sights before unleashing a superb curler that whistled into the top corner.

Gvardiol’s fifth goal in his last seven away league games was the prelude to a period of City pressure that kept Wolves penned inside their own area until half-time.

Haaland had scored eight goals in his four previous league appearances against Wolves, averaging a goal once every 40 minutes.

He was far more anonymous this time and it took 49 minutes before he finally had a chance, which the 24-year-old squandered with a complete miskick from eight yards.

Faced with Wolves’ massed defence, City centre-back Ruben Dias tried his luck with a 25-yard drive that was well saved by Sa.

Matheus Cunha was close to putting Wolves back ahead against the run of play with a fizzing drive that was just off target.

Gundogan’s free-kick deflected wide and Jack Grealish‘s drive was held by Sa as City kept probing away before finally snatching the winner.

Stones rose to head home from a corner, with Silva initially blocking Sa’s view and briefly making contact with the keeper before ducking down as the ball flew past him.

The goal was initially disallowed but VAR told Kavanagh to check the pitchside monitor and he overturned his decision as Guardiola and his players danced a relieved jig of delight.

John Stones‘ 98th-minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Manchester City against 10-man Arsenal in a bad-tempered clash between the two favourites for the Premier League title on Sunday. Arsenal played the entire second half a man down after Leandro Trossard was sent off but were seconds away from inflicting City’s first home defeat since November 2022. A draw is enough for City to retake top spot, two points clear of Arsenal in fourth. Erling Haaland’s 100th City goal had given Pep Guardiola’s men the perfect start. Arsenal turned the game around thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s wonder strike and another set-piece header from Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Gunners lost Trossard for a second booking just before half-time.

However, Mikel Arteta‘s men produced a stunning rearguard action to hold out until the final seconds when Stones bundled in after Arsenal failed to clear a corner.

The powder keg for an explosive encounter was lit within the first few seconds when Kai Havertz charged into Rodri to leave the Spaniard needing treatment.

Guardiola said City had been handed an advantage by having an extra day’s rest and not travelling for their Champions League draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Arsenal, by contrast, were in Italy on Thursday for their 0-0 stalemate against Atalanta.

City burst out of the traps to try and make their fresher legs count and got an early reward.

Haaland had not even managed a single shot on target in the two league meetings between the sides last season as Arsenal kept two clean sheets against the champions.

But the Norwegian is in unstoppable form and took just nine minutes to score his 10th goal of the season and bring up his century in 105 games for City.

Savinho’s through ball split the Arsenal defence and Haaland coolly prodded past the onrushing David Raya.

Ilkay Gundogan then curled a free-kick off the post.

But City’s momentum was interrupted when Rodri was forced off in some distress with a knee injury.

Just seconds after he was replaced by Mateo Kovacic, Arsenal levelled in stunning fashion.

Calafiori was picked out by Gabriel Martinelli at the edge of the box and the Italian defender curled a brilliant effort beyond Ederson for his first Gunners goal.

Gabriel scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Tottenham in the north London derby last weekend.

And City were also unable to cope with the Brazilian’s power at set-pieces.

Guardiola’s men got away with a warning when Gabriel headed over his first big opportunity from a Bukayo Saka corner.

The Arsenal centre-back was not so forgiving with his second chance as he shrugged off Kyle Walker to nod in another inviting delivery form Saka.

Yet there was another huge momentum swing just before half-time when Trossard saw red.

The Belgian was shown a second yellow for kicking the ball away after committing a foul.

Arsenal dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Brighton after Declan Rice did likewise just three weeks ago and they suffered a similar fate in heartbreaking fashion.

Arteta responded by introducing an extra defender in Ben White for Saka as the visitors set up camp in their own box to repel wave upon wave of City attack.

Raya was called upon to save a powerful downward header by Haaland.

But Arsenal largely restricted City to potshots from distance by their centre-backs as Raya denied twice denied Josko Gvardiol.

It was another City defender who finally got what could be a defining goal in the title race come May.

Stones swept home the loose ball from Jack Grealish‘s cross to extend City’s near two-year invincible streak on home soil.

Man City vs Man United Highlights: City win 7-6 on penalties© AFP

Manchester City vs Manchester United, 2024 FA Community Shield Final Live Streaming: The football season will officially kick off with the 2024 FA Community Shield final, as Premier League champions Manchester City take on FA Cup winners Manchester United. City narrowly won the Premier League title last season, but lost to United in the FA Cup final. United’s new centre-back Leny Yoro won’t play due to injury, but fellow signing, striker Joshua Zirkzee, might get his official debut. Jadon Sancho also returns to the United fold, hoping to leave behind past clashes with manager Erik ten Hag. City’s new signing, Brazilian winger Savinho, may also get a start.

When will the 2024 Community Shield Final, Manchester City vs Manchester United match take place?

The 2024 Community Shield Final, Manchester City vs Manchester United match will take place on Saturday, August 10 (IST).

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The 2024 Community Shield Final, Manchester City vs Manchester United match will be held at the Wembley Stadium, London.

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The 2024 Community Shield Final, Manchester City vs Manchester United match will start at 7:30 PM.

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The 2024 Community Shield Final, Manchester City vs Manchester United match will be live telecast on the Sony Sports network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the 2024 Community Shield Final, Manchester City vs Manchester United match?

The 2024 Community Shield Final, Manchester City vs Manchester United match will be live streamed on the Sony LIV app.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)