7M - Manchester City Return to Winning Ways Against Wolves Amid Rare VAR Handball Controversy

Antoine Semenyo (left) celebrates with Omar Marmoush after putting Manchester City 2-0 up.

Manchester City ended a three-game Premier League winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, a result that also halted Wolves' five-match unbeaten run. The match was marked by a rare and contentious VAR intervention involving a handball by Yerson Mosquera—one that referee Farai Hallam, on his top-flight debut, ultimately chose not to penalize after a pitchside review.

Pep Guardiola made five changes from City's 3-1 Champions League loss to Bodo/Glimt, most notably dropping Erling Haaland for the first time this season due to form. Haaland, who had started all 22 league games but failed to score from open play in his last seven, was replaced by Omar Marmoush. Phil Foden—ever-present in the previous 19 league matches—was also rested, with Bernardo Silva taking his place. Additional changes saw Max Alleyne, Rico Lewis, and Rayan Ait-Nouri benched, while Marc Guehi came into central defense and Matheus Nunes shifted to right-back. Antoine Semenyo, ineligible for the midweek European fixture, returned to the starting XI.

City opened the scoring in the first half when Nunes delivered a sharp cross from the right flank, and Marmoush finished with a quick stab—his first Premier League goal since his last league start on August 31. The second came after Bernardo Silva played a precise through ball to Semenyo, who cut inside Ladislav Krejci and fired home his third goal in four appearances since joining from Bournemouth.

Farai Hallam makes an announcement of no penalty, much to the chagrin of Bernardo Silva.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 33rd minute when Abdukodir Khusanov floated a pass into the box. Marmoush controlled it, turned past Mosquera, and flicked the ball onto the defender's left elbow. His follow-up shot struck the left post, prompting a VAR review for a potential handball. Despite Mosquera's arm being extended away from his body, Hallam—after viewing replays at the monitor—upheld his original decision not to award a penalty, judging the arm position as natural given Mosquera was in motion.

Wolves head coach Rob Edwards backed the call: "His arm was in a natural position and it was really close. Fair play to Farai in his first game to make that call."

Guardiola, however, was incensed. "I would love to have the players to fight against that," he said, referencing his 11 injured squad members. "Despite these decisions, in nine years we've won six Premier Leagues. It's the first time a referee goes to the TV and doesn't overrule the position of the arms." He added pointedly, "I'm pretty sure tomorrow Howard Webb [PGMOL's chief refereeing officer] is going to appear in the media and explain. The referee makes his debut—now everyone will know him."

The City boss also revisited last weekend's 2-0 derby loss to Manchester United, citing Diogo Dalot's challenge on Jeremy Doku as another example of poor officiating. "He stamped on his leg—he should have been sent off," Guardiola said. "That's why Jeremy couldn't play in Norway against Bodo."

Wolves showed improved intensity in the second half following Edwards' tactical adjustments: Jorgen Strand Larsen replaced Jhon Arias, Rodrigo Gomes came on for Jackson Tchatchoua, and 18-year-old Mateus Mane—central to Wolves' recent uptick in form—was repositioned into midfield. Mane created two dangerous crosses, the latter forcing a corner. From that set piece, Joao Gomes powered a header toward goal, only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to tip it over—the goalkeeper's first save of the match.

Despite the spirited response, Wolves remain 14 points adrift of safety. Nevertheless, Edwards' appointment midway through the season appears increasingly astute, as his side continues to show signs of structural improvement even in defeat.

For City, the victory—secured without Haaland or Foden—offers a timely reset after a turbulent January, moving them back on track in the pursuit of a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title.