A strange expulsion and a penalty kick from Sterling: Manchester City strengthens the first place in the English Premier League

Manchester City remains at the top of the English Premier League. The England champions beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 (0-0) on Saturday. The hosts benefited from a yellow-red card for Wolverhampton professional Raul Jimenez (45 + 2). As a result, Raheem Sterling scored the win with a hand penalty (66th place). With the three points, Pep Guardiola’s side temporarily moved away to four points and is therefore no longer at the top of the standings on this match day. Just last week, the Nationals took over the place in the sun after a foul by Chelsea (2:3 against West Ham) and their success at Watford (3:1). Wolverhampton remains ninth in the middle of the standings.

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City withdrew the usual possession game from the start, but were unable to provide convincing opportunities in front of the visitors’ goal. It only got weird shortly before the break. Raul Jimenez received a yellow card shortly before the end of the first half. When ManCity pro Rodrygo tried to take the free kick, Jimenez stood in the way and blocked the ball, and referee Jonathan Moss sent off the striker with a traffic light (45 + 2).

In the second round, the favorite then took advantage of the numerical advantage and pushed the lead against opponents who were now really deep. Ilkay Gundogan missed a big first opportunity, as defender Konor Coady (55) had a header off the goal line. Shortly thereafter it happened: after a handball by Joao Moutinho, Moss made the point. Sterling took charge and turned 1-0 (66th place). The superior Nationals confidently took the lead over the finish line in the remaining time, leaving top-tier chances through Jack Grealish (70) and Bernardo Silva (72) to increase.