Recap

Manchester City Bounce Back with Convincing 2-0 Victory Over Struggling Wolves

Manchester City secured a vital 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium on January 24, 2026, ending a frustrating four-game winless streak in the Premier League. Goals from Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo in the first half propelled Pep Guardiola’s side to a dominant performance, closing the gap to league leaders Arsenal to four points.

Match Summary: City Restore Confidence with Clinical First-Half Display

The Premier League encounter saw Manchester City, sitting second with 46 points from 23 matches, face bottom-of-the-table Wolves, who languish on just 8 points from 23 games with a league-worst goal difference of -28. City, coming off disappointing defeats to Manchester United and Bodo/Glimt, showed renewed authority and unity, as highlighted in match highlights.

Erling Haaland was rested on the bench ahead of a crucial Champions League fixture, allowing recent returnee Omar Marmoush and new signing Antoine Semenyo to shine. The hosts controlled possession and created chances early, while Wolves, despite picking up points in recent top-flight games, struggled to threaten.

City’s defense, bolstered by a confident debut from new recruit Marc Guéhi, remained resolute throughout, ensuring a clean sheet against a Wolves side desperate for points to escape relegation.

Key Moments: Early Breakthrough and Late Drama

The game ignited in the sixth minute when Marmoush, starting his first league match since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, latched onto a precise cross from Matheus Nunes and fired home his first league goal of the season. The Egyptian forward’s close-range effort sent the Etihad crowd into raptures and set the tone for City’s dominance.

A controversial VAR incident midway through the first half saw Marmoush flick the ball onto Wolves defender Mosquera’s arm, but referee Hallam, after pitchside review, deemed the contact accidental with the arm in a natural position, awarding City a free-kick instead of a penalty. Guardiola appeared unhappy, but it did not derail his team’s momentum.

Just before halftime, in the second minute of stoppage time, Semenyo doubled the lead. The Ghanaian winger, on his first home start since his £62.5 million move from Bournemouth two weeks prior, controlled a pass from Bernardo Silva and buried a low drive into the bottom corner past Jose Sa. This marked his third goal in four appearances for City.

• 6′: Marmoush opens scoring with a clinical finish from Nunes’ cross.
• Mid-first half: VAR denies City a penalty after Marmoush handball incident.
• 45+2′: Semenyo nets his third goal in four games to make it 2-0.
• Second half: Wolves press, with João Gomes shooting over from a free-kick and Mosquera heading against the bar twice—once saved by Donnarumma and once in the 87th minute.
• 90+6′: Full-time, City hold firm for all three points.

Wolves grew stronger after the break, mounting some pressure, but City’s defense stood tall. Semenyo nearly added a third when his powerful shot struck the crossbar, while Strand Larsen’s header missed narrowly in the 66th minute.

Player Performances: Standout Shows from Marmoush, Semenyo, and Guéhi

Omar Marmoush was the star of the show, not only scoring the opener but driving City’s attack with his energy and threat post-Africa Cup of Nations. His performance underscored his growing importance to Guardiola’s squad ahead of a demanding schedule.

Antoine Semenyo continued his dream start at City, netting the crucial second goal and terrorizing Wolves’ defense. The winger’s sharp finish and overall impact justified his big-money transfer, with three goals in four league outings.

Marc Guéhi impressed on his debut in central defense, providing stability and excelling alongside the backline to keep Wolves at bay. Goalkeeper Donnarumma made a key save on Mosquera, while Bernardo Silva’s assist highlighted his playmaking quality.

For Wolves, Jose Sa was busy but could do little with the goals conceded. Mosquera posed a threat with headers against the bar, and João Gomes showed spirit with a free-kick effort, but the team lacked cutting edge.

Erling Haaland, rested as a precaution, watched from the bench as his teammates proved the squad’s depth.

Impact on League Standings: City Reignite Title Push, Wolves Sunk Deeper

This victory propelled Manchester City to 46 points from 23 matches (14 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses), maintaining second place and reducing the deficit to leaders Arsenal to four points—though the Gunners hold a game in hand. It was a timely boost after a run of four winless games, reigniting their title challenge and providing momentum before midweek Champions League action.

Wolverhampton Wanderers remain rooted to the bottom with 8 points (1 win, 5 draws, 17 losses), their recent positive run halted. Their -28 goal difference leaves them 7 points from safety, with relegation looking increasingly likely in a season of struggles.

Team	Played	Wins	Draws	Losses	GD	Points
Manchester City	23	14	4	5	+ (not specified)	46
Wolverhampton Wanderers	23	1	5	17	-28	8

The result underscores City’s depth and resilience under Guardiola, while Wolves’ inability to convert second-half pressure into points highlights their woes. For City fans, it was a return to form; for Wolves, another blow in a grim campaign.

Tactical Insights and Broader Context

Pep Guardiola’s decision to rest Haaland paid dividends, showcasing the squad’s versatility with Marmoush and Semenyo stepping up. City’s first-half dominance—two goals from limited clear chances—contrasted with recent struggles to convert possession into points.

Wolves, under pressure at the foot of the table, showed flickers of improvement post-break but lacked firepower. Their recent form, earning twice as many points as City over four games pre-match, offered false hope.

Defensively, City’s organization frustrated Wolves, with Guéhi’s debut a highlight amid rotation for Europe. The clean sheet was City’s first in recent outings, vital for confidence.

Looking ahead, City face Arsenal’s response on Sunday, while Wolves confront a survival fight. This match reaffirmed City’s pedigree and Wolves’ peril in the 2025/26 season.

Match highlights from NBC Sports and Sky Sports captured the Etihad atmosphere, with City’s early goals and Wolves’ late woodwork strikes defining the narrative.