Having followed up a disappointing Manchester Derby defeat with a UEFA Champions League humbling at the hands of Bodø/Glimt, Pep Guardiola was in desperate need of a response against rock-bottom Wolves.
Rob Edwards’ side had conceded just twice in their last four league games, but their resistance was broken early here, as former Wolves man Matheus Nunes whipped in a ball for Omar Marmoush to prod home inside six minutes.
Continuing to repay the faith in his selection over PL top scorer Erling Haaland – who was without an open-play goal in eight competitive matches – Marmoush came within inches of doubling City’s lead, striking the post in the 35th minute before VAR helped clear a potential penalty award for a Yerson Mosquera handball in the build-up.
With HT approaching, away fans would have been content to go into the break just one goal behind, but it was not to be, as Antoine Semenyo netted his third strike in four since joining City, sweeping a low shot beyond the reach of José Sá.
With a mountain to climb, Wolves set about finding a way back into the contest, and they came reasonably close to halving the deficit when André fizzed a free-kick attempt just over the bar.
Again, the visitors threatened when a Mateus Mané set-piece was headed goalwards by Mosquera, but Gianluigi Donnarumma did enough to inadvertently keep it out with his trailing hand. It wasn’t until 12 minutes from time that the hosts created a genuine second-half opening, yet Semenyo couldn’t keep his ferocious strike down as it cannoned off the crossbar.
With 86 minutes played, Mosquera’s header from a corner bounced onto the crossbar, ultimately ending hopes of a comeback as Guardiola’s side claimed the points.
The result sees City go undefeated in 31 PL matches against teams starting the day at the bottom of the standings (W25, D6), with 10 straight home wins by an aggregate score of 38-0. Crucially, three points keeps them within touching distance of Arsenal, who will look to restore a seven-point gap against Manchester United on Sunday.
As for Wolves, a run of five games unbeaten in all competitions (W2, D3) comes to an end, with PL survival remaining fanciful despite the recent upturn in results.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)