Wolves boss O’Neil angry after Stones goal allowed to stand

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil rued a lack of consistency from officials as Manchester City snatched an injury-time win at Molineux this afternoon.

John Stones nodded home Phil Foden’s corner with time almost up but referee Chris Kavanagh disallowed it due to Bernardo Silva standing in an offside position. However, Kavanagh reversed his decision following the intervention of VAR having deemed the Portugal midfielder was not in the eyeline of Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.

O’Neil felt it was similar to a goal Wolves had disallowed against West Ham last season. He told Sky Sports: “We sent an image to referees showing with proof that the West Ham keeper could see the ball, but the reason we were given was the player was in close proximity. The same argument could be said here but we just have to accept it.

John Stones wins it in the 95th minute! 💥 pic.twitter.com/VIvAPDeNGL

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 20, 2024

“I would rather not discuss it because it will still sound like I am making excuses. Whatever decision they make, I respect. We don’t want to cross that line, but it did feel like a harsh one. 

“I am proud of the players though. An unbelievable effort and we gave ourselves a great chance. I am gutted for the players that we had to leave with nothing.”

Guardiola – Sa had the perfect vision

Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola had a different view and said he was baffled by the on-field decision to rule the goal out.

He told BBC Sport: “We are not used to winning games at the end, like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool it many times happened. It is a good flavour for us.

“Of course I didn’t understand it. Linesman, I don’t know the reason why he did it. but Bernardo isn’t disturbing the position. It was difficult in the first moment. Today in modern football they starve the keeper. In the moment what happened Sa had the perfect vision. The take from Phil and the header [by Stones] were magnificent.”

Wolves unlucky

The result was harsh on Wolves who went ahead early through Jorgen Strand Larsen with Josko Gvardiol equalising with a fine curling effort.

It looked as though the hosts’ fine rearguard action would earn them a point but it wasn’t to be.

Guardiola added: “With 11 [Wolves] players in the penalty area literally it is so difficult. The way we have done many years, the teams have decided to play in that way [against us]. But we were patient. They had some transitions, they have pace up front and physicality in the middle, they are so strong. But we were patient. Still we are who we are and that is so nice.”