Pep Guardiola gives his verdict on John Stones’ winner in Man City victory v Wolves

Pep Guardiola said Chris Kavanagh’s decision to allow John Stones’ late goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers was correct.

The referee initially disallowed Stones’ goal at Molineux as Bernardo Silva was in an offside position and standing in front of Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa as Stones connected with the ball. But after checking again at the pitchside monitor, the referee decided to award the goal and ultimately hand Manchester City a 2-1 victory and three crucial points.

But the VAR check was a controversial decision with both sets of players and coaching staff strenuously arguing their side of the debate. Guardiola celebrated widely when the goal was given and said he felt it was the correct outcome.

“At the moment the linesman, raised the flag, I said, ‘it’s a corner, how can it be offside?’. The situation, at the moment of the impact from John, Sa is watching perfectly the actions so it’s well given.”

Despite just eight games being played of the season, the dramatic win at Molineux felt like a big moment in the season as City, at least temporarily, reclaimed top spot in the table.

“It's not the last fixture of the season but, of course, it is important winning in that way,” said Guardiola. “Today, the flavour of winning games this way is so nice. The impact of the players that came off the bench and were patient. 

“We have to do that with teams who defend so deep - literally 11 players in the penalty spot. I said to the players, 'please don't judge what the opponents do, it's up to us to try and break them’.

“It's fine and now Wolves play in a way and it's fine. I had the feeling that it is getting better, knowing that it is so difficult when the spaces don't exist. That's why we are so pleased with the victory.”