Wolves are beaten 5-1 by Manchester City in the Premier League – and after the game, Gary O’Neil questioned an incident that hasn’t really gotten much attention.
Wanderers fell short against the Premier League champions, and felt the wrath of Erling Haaland who scored four of City’s goals.
Wolves got unlucky when a penalty was awarded against Rayan Ait-Nouri for a foul on Josko Gvardiol after 10 minutes. Haaland made no mistake from the spot, and then the Norwegian scored his second and third goals before half-time.
Hwang Hee-chan pulled one back for Wolves to give brief hope. But Haaland immediately cancelled that goal out by scoring his fourth a minute later. Julian Alvarez then completed the scoring late on.
Wolves were always going to be up against it. But there is again a feeling for some fans that decisions went against the club – and after the game, O’Neil mentioned one that people haven’t really spoken much about…
Wolves manager Gary O’Neil questions Manuel Akanji ‘handball’ for Manchester City
A case cannot be made for Wolves deserving any points yesterday.
They were simply outclassed, and had no answer to the unplayable Haaland. There is no shame in that, as City are arguably the best team in world football.
But some Wolves fans felt a bit frustrated once again after yesterday’s game. Firstly because of the Ait-Nouri challenge and then when an incident involving Manuel Akanji was overlooked.
In the second-half, Akanji was on the ground and appeared to move the ball away with his hand, which led to appeals from the travelling Wolves supporters. On this, O’Neil said (as quoted by E&S): “There should have been a potential check on Akanji’s handball, I thought. There was not much made of that. I heard the Wolves fans appeal for it but I was quite far away from it.
“When I saw the replay, he’s on the floor and seems to punch the ball away with his hand.
“But, as I say, there’s so much for me to focus on within my own group.”
Wolves unlucky, but ultimately outplayed
Wolves got unlucky with a couple of decisions yesterday, but ultimately O’Neil’s side were just beaten by a top side who are on a rampage at the moment.
This was also going to be a very difficult game, and there isn’t a great deal you can do when you’ve got Haaland in that kind of form.
It has gone now, and Wanderers just have to focus on trying to finish the season as best they can. The next game with Crystal Palace represents a much better chance of getting points. Then it’s Liverpool at Anfield on the final day, and there will be motivation to spoil Jurgen Klopp’s farewell party.
Hopefully, the season doesn’t finish with a whimper to take the shine off all the great work O’Neil has done.
