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Wolves boss Gary O’Neil ‘trying to stay calm’ with Man City’s 95th minute winner allowed to stand

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was ‘trying to stay calm’ with Man City’s 95th minute winner allowed to stand, John Stones making it 2-1.

The Sky Blues claimed a last-gasp win at Molineux, with thanks to a Stones’ header, which was controversially given after the referee went over to look at the monitor.

Bernardo Silva was stood in an off-side position in front of Jose Sa with VAR recommending an on-field review. The goal was given, City delirious. Gary O’Neil reeling inside.

Premier League Match Centre on Twitter have tweeted: “Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision. The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and a goal was awarded.”

Don Goodman (on Sky Sports): Gary O’Neil is perplexed and he can’t believe it. This is very controversial.

Micah Richards (on Sky Sports): I would like to see a goal be given for this. There’s not too much contact, but the fact of the matter is he’s still in the keeper’s way so it has affected the play in my opinion.

Conor McNamara (Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live): Bernardo Silva was in-front of the goalkeeper but he was crouching down, he didn’t really impede Jose Sa in any way. It’s the correct decision.

Clinton Morrison (on BBC Radio 5 Live): That’s the sign of champions, not playing at your best but keep going and getting the result. It’s not luck at all, we’ve seen City do this many times. I think it was the right decision to give the goal, Bernardo Silva wasn’t offside.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, to Sky Sports: “I am trying to remain calm. I have been involved in a few of those and not had many go in our favour so was expecting that outcome.

“There is some grey area that can go either way and once it was like that I wasn’t confident it would go our way.”

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

“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.

O’Neil speaking to BBC Sport: “Performance was excellent, I thought the lads gave absolutely everything. We kept finding the answers and we concede a controversial goal late on. The things that could go against us today definitely did but we have to take positives and we have to get ready for next weekend against Brighton.

“It’s tough defending for so long, it is so hard to get out. They were working their socks off, they gave everything, they showed what they are which is all I asked. We need to make sure it looks like that more often.

“[The players are] down as you would expect. For all the hard work that has gone into that, to then leave with hard luck stories feels like a big blow of course. I was very critical of them at Brentford. Today was a return to more like what we need to be.

“It has been such a cruel run of fixtures. We need to keep standing up. We are where we are and we need to make sure we keep producing the best of ourselves.

“I knew Bernardo Silva was close to the goalkeeper. Against West Ham we were given the reason of close proximity. Silva is less than a yard away and I think that same reasoning should be applied to this one, but it wasn’t. I was calm about it, unfortunately there is nothing we can do.”

O’Neil, to Sky Sports: “The lads stuck to the plans really well. When you compare that to the Brentford game they are miles apart. We have enough quality, we know the Premier League is tough so we have to find a way. We showed that against the best side in the world and came up 20 seconds short. But if we can replicate that we will be fine. After this tough run we will show our qualities.”

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol to BBC Radio 5 Live: “To be fair before we conceded a goal I had the feeling we controlled the game. I don’t know how Wolves had the energy to defend for a few minutes then sprint forwards to attack. We have to give them credit.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: “We are not a team that win games right at the end but the performance there was outstanding.

“We have a lot of players with quality up front, but a lot of players in the box is difficult. They are aggressive, strong. We played really good to have the chances we had. The players who came in were unbelievable and to win that way feels good.

“11 players in the 18 yard box is difficult, but the composure from everyone. We lost here last season, they were less active but I saw them against Liverpool and Chelsea.

“We have been in that position, when you lose at the end. But this is the game. Both sides try to do their best. They had a game plan and I am so proud. We played the way we want to play and it is a joy to be here, to score in the last 50 seconds and go top of the league.

On fitness of Kyle Walker Walker and Kevin de Bruyne: “I don’t think they will be ready [for midweek]. We have few days training but don’t think so.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to 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 [Silva] 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 [Jose] Sa had the perfect vision. The taker from Phil [Foden] and the header [by John Stones] were magnificent.

“With 11 [Wolves] players in the penalty spot 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.

“Of course we take a look [at the standings] but I have after 10 or 12 games in the Premier League you don’t have to see the table, it is just the beginning. But of course it is nice to be winning, you are alive and in that position. Liverpool have to play but we are top at the moment and that feeling is really good. Continue with that, the commitment from the players is unbelievable and that is why it is a joy.”

Manchester City defender John Stones, to BBC Sport: “We have been trying super hard to improve our set pieces and make the most of them. Today was a new focus and attitude towards them.

“Hopefully this is the start of many more. It is a vital part of the game at both ends of the pitch and really pleasing for me personally to get the winner after such a difficult game.

“I thought it had been chalked off. I tried to speak to the ref but he had a lot of people around him. For me it is the right call. Obviously I am going to be biased but I think it should stand.”

Here’s how Twitter users reacted on Wolves boss Gary O’Neil ‘trying to stay calm’ with Man City’s 95th minute winner allowed to stand…

@mitchdavis_1: Wasn’t offside but again we can go back to wolves vs West Ham last season and guess what they dissalowed the goal. That happens in the city box 100% they disallow it

@ColinPep1: Even worse than the decision was the call a minute earlier when we should have had a free kick, which would likely have secured one point, maybe three. Yes the player took the ball but it was from behind, not side on #wwfc #WOLMCI

@CarlJon49470078: Albion fan here. If that’s at the other end it’s given as offside all day long. I can see that Silva is trying to get out the way but he’s backing into Sa.

@RobbieMeakin: Gutted. Thoroughly deserved a point from that, but come away with nothing. Before Silva on Sa, there was a clear foul on Guedes before City even got those corners but not given against 115 FC. #WOLMCI #WWFC #Wolves

@GoldenPalace73: Forget offside. That should have been disallowed for silva intentionally backing into sa when sa was just taking his first step to come and clear the ball. He moved into says path. @FA_PGMOL bad officiating

@kevtheman10: I have to say it’s gutting to lose to a last minute winner. What i don’t understand is though, if Bernardo Silva is blocking the keeper and in an offside position, why did V.A.R and ref give the goal? 🤔 I really thought Wolves deserved to get at least a point.😔🐺 #WWFC #WOLMCI

@JakeWStephens91: Tough luck against 12 men, Pep’s brown envelope and the rigged PL

@JamesMcGirr07: That’s really unlucky to lose like that, the fact we held City for most of the game and was leading against them for 20 odd mins is incredible, hopefully this can actually start something good for us

@JoeJones3387: Very good performance. Lads gave it their best. Robbed because you can ram and barge back into a keeper while a ball is mid air off corner so he can’t focus and set his feet etc. interfering with play by the rules of the game. But 115 City can’t get a bad VAR can they

@Henzzaa: Rememeber when we scored a goal the exact same last year and it wasn’t given? Big club bias is so real

@markwolves71: Refs favouring the top clubs as always. Well proud of my Club 👏👏👏🖤🧡🖤🧡 great performances all over the park💪🏼

@Laura02395618: It’s always more gutting when it’s last minute 😭 can’t help but feel we really are at risk now of going down this season or having another battle on our hands at the bottom of the table as we fall further behind and adrift ! Solid defensively today 💪 but still without points

@powelly_wwfc: Forget whether the winning goal should have counted, Kavanagh was a disgrace today. The decision not to give us a free kick for the blatant foul on Guedes which led to City regaining possession and winning the corners ultimately won them the game. Cheating of the worst kind.

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