Manchester City ended their winless Premier League run with a 2-0 victory over bottom side Wolverhampton, as goals from Marmoush and January signing Semenyo sealed the points and kept the title race pressure on Arsenal.
Manchester City, with Matheus Nunes and Bernardo Silva in action, returned to winning ways in the Premier League by beating bottom side Wolverhampton 2-0 in a match from the 23rd round, a result that steadied nerves at the Etihad and restored a degree of normality after a run that had started to raise uncomfortable questions.
Coming into this fixture, City were carrying the weight of what had been their poorest spell of the league season. Draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton, followed by a derby defeat to Manchester United, had left Pep Guardiola’s team with little margin for error, particularly against an opponent sitting last in the table. Against Wolves, City did what was required: they were sharp early, controlled the rhythm for long periods, and turned a potentially awkward afternoon into a largely routine win.
Guardiola was still forced to operate without Rúben Dias, who remains sidelined through injury, a significant absence given City’s recent defensive uncertainty. However, there was also positive news with the return of Matheus Nunes, back after missing the derby due to flu and also absent from the midweek Champions League loss to Bodo/Glimt. With Bernardo Silva also involved, City’s midfield had more structure and fluency, and that was reflected in the way they started the game.
The breakthrough arrived inside the opening minutes and immediately changed the dynamic. Marmoush struck in the sixth minute, capitalising on City’s fast start and giving the home side the early lead they badly needed. The goal settled City, allowed them to dictate possession with less anxiety, and forced Wolverhampton into a reactive approach that has been a recurring theme throughout their difficult season. Wolves tried to stay compact and limit space between the lines, but City’s movement and patience gradually pulled them out of position.
Wolves’ situation remains bleak. Despite the presence of José Sá in goal and the option of Rodrigo Gomes from the bench, the visitors struggled to put together meaningful attacking phases. They rarely held onto the ball high up the pitch and, when they did reach advanced areas, they lacked the final pass and the decisive run to create clear chances. The absence of Toti through injury further reduced their options, and the match often felt like a test of survival rather than a contest in which they believed they could impose themselves.
City, meanwhile, looked far more like themselves in terms of control. The ball circulation was cleaner, the tempo was managed sensibly, and the defensive transitions were more disciplined than in recent outings. Bernardo Silva’s ability to receive under pressure and connect phases helped City keep Wolves pinned back, while Matheus Nunes added energy and vertical running, offering Guardiola another profile in midfield as City looked to regain their edge.
The second goal arrived at an ideal moment, right before halftime, and effectively killed the game as a spectacle. In stoppage time of the first half, January signing Semenyo made it 2-0. Signed at the start of January from Bournemouth, he has made an immediate impact, now boasting 2 goals and 1 assist in his first 3 matches. The timing of the goal was crucial: Wolverhampton had survived the early storm and might have hoped to regroup at the break only one goal down, but the second strike forced them into a far more desperate second-half plan.
After the interval, the match followed a predictable pattern. Wolverhampton tried to raise their intensity and push higher, but City’s control meant the visitors struggled to create sustained pressure. Guardiola’s team did not need to chase a third goal recklessly. They were content to manage the scoreboard, keep possession, and pick moments to accelerate when openings appeared. While the game did not become a goal fest, City’s overall authority reduced the likelihood of late drama.
The significance of the result extends beyond the ninety minutes. The 2-0 win allows City to reduce the gap to leaders Arsenal to four points, at least temporarily, with Arsenal only playing on Sunday at home to Manchester United, currently fifth, with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot among the key names. In a tight title picture, these routine-looking victories over struggling sides often become decisive in hindsight, especially during periods when confidence is fragile and performances are under scrutiny.
For Wolverhampton, the outlook is increasingly grim. With only one win in the entire league campaign, they remain anchored to the bottom of the table. Even allowing for occasional improvements in organisation, results are not coming, and the lack of goals and points keeps them in a position where each week feels like a must-win situation. Facing a City side desperate to respond was always likely to be a tall order, but the broader concern is how quickly time is running out for Wolves to build any sustained momentum.
Elsewhere in the round, the relegation battle and the mid-table race produced their own storylines. Burnley, 19th, drew 2-2 at home to Tottenham, with Florentino playing until the 69th minute. Spurs, provisionally 13th, had been in front, but Burnley fought back through goals from Tuanzebe in the 45th minute and Lyle Foster in the 76th. Just as Burnley appeared to have completed a valuable turnaround, Romero equalised in the 90th minute to rescue a point for Tottenham, leaving Burnley still in a precarious position despite the encouraging fightback.
Fulham also delivered late drama in London, coming from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 under Marco Silva. Ayari had put Brighton ahead in the 28th minute, sending Fulham into halftime trailing, but the hosts responded strongly after the break. Samuel Chukwueze, back in Marco Silva’s options after his Africa Cup of Nations involvement, levelled in the 72nd minute before Harry Wilson struck in stoppage time, 90+2, to complete the comeback. With several teams still to play in the 23rd round, Fulham move provisionally into seventh, while Brighton remain 12th.
The weekend schedule continues later today with Bournemouth hosting Liverpool, and attention then shifts to Sunday’s headline fixture, with Arsenal welcoming Manchester United. For Manchester City, the immediate priority was simply to stop the slide and reset the mood, and a professional 2-0 win achieved exactly that.
