Wolves hit back to shock Man City 2-1

Posted Sunday, October 31, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

By MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Robert Mancini blasted his under-performing Manchester City players after they had slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton on Saturday.

City took an early lead but their plucky rivals came from behind to snatch only their second win of the Premier League season.

Mancini admitted he was shocked and disappointed at the way Manchester City allowed Wolves to dominate the last hour and had no complaints about the outcome.

Mancini said: “For the first 15 minutes we were fantastic. We played badly for the rest of the match and I do not know why.

“Now I must watch the game on video and speak to the players tomorrow and then we must start all over again.

“We knew it would be difficult because Wolves are not a bad side but this win was only their second of the year, so I am unhappy.

“I find it very frustrating. This season we have beaten Chelsea and not long ago we were only one or two points behind them.

“Chelsea are eight points in front of us now and it will be very hard to get them back. I do not know why we can beat Chelsea but lose to other teams like this.”

Mancini gave Mario Balotelli a starting chance and it looked an inspired move as City threatened a big score.

Their superiority was confirmed when they took the lead in the 23rd minute, albeit from a penalty.

Wolves defender Richard Stearman brought down David Silva and Emmanuel Adebayor had no trouble in converting the spot kick.

But for some inexplicable reason City eased up and allowed Wolves back into the match.

Seven minutes later Wolves were level when Christophe Berra set up a chance for Nenad Milijas to score with a crisp shot from the edge of the area.

The second half belonged to battling Wolves and it was no surprise when they scored what proved to be the winner in the 57th minute.

City defender Kolo Toure was unable to clear a Kevin Foley cross and when a Kevin Doyle shot was blocked by goalkeeper Joe Hart, David Edwards was first to the rebound.

Silva almost snatched an undeserved equaliser with a low shot from 20 yards but Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann got down to push it to safety.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was concerned only that his team had collected three precious points.

McCarthy said: “That is all that matters in the end. We are still in the bottom three even after beating Manchester City.

“We badly needed a win and we got it with a good performance. Throughout the season we have played well and come away with nothing.

“This time we played well and we won. Now we play Manchester United and Arsenal so it does not get any easier, but we can draw comfort from what we did today.”