It was the Wolves as we knew them as we clinched our first win in eight games and at times, it wasn't as tricky as the scoreline suggested.
But the first 20 minutes belonged to City, who had squandered chances through Emmanuel Adebayor and Mario Balotelli, but shortly after, Richard Stearman needlessly slid in on David Silva near the byline to give a penalty to the visitors, which was coolly converted by Adebayor. After the restart we started playing playing through some fantastic wing play and the chances came flooding in. Dave Edwards was denied twice by Joe Hart then the crossbar within a minute. But the equaliser came when Matt Jarvis' cross was deflected into the path into the one man you would want the ball to fall to inside the 'D', Nenad Milijas, who volleyed low into the bottom corner despite Hart getting a hand to it. And we looked like the team most likely to score the next goal, and that showed when Vincent Kompany persistantly fouled the sublime Kevin Doyle without getting a booking.
Second half started like the first ended, City looked as though they were lacking cohesion by the minute and it was costly as a poor Kolo Toure clearance from Kevin Foley's cross fell to Doyle, whose shot was blocked by Hart and Edwards kept composed and slotted in to give us the lead. After that, City threw the kitchen sink, forcing our backs to the wall, bringing Jo and Adam Johnson, who terrorised our left side. Whilst the defence were lofting high and long balls, Silva dropped deep for the ball and tried to make things happen, all to no avail as nobody wanted to know. Adebayor was wasting more chances and Mario Balotelli being a petulant drama queen wasn't helping the team. Our unity was epitomised when Michael Mancienne put in a magnificant tackle on Johnson in stoppage time before being mobbed by the rest of the team.
It was a great performance which shows that you can't buy team spirit. Next stop: Old Trafford. Piece of cake, according to Super Mick McCarthy, and why not?
'Grobs'
LINE-UPS
WOLVES (4-5-1): Hahnemann, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Ward; Jarvis (Mouyokolo 88), Edwards, Henry, Milijas (Mancienne 83), Hunt (Elokobi 65); Doyle
MAN CITY (4-1-3-2): Hart; Richards (Jo 83), Kolo Toure , Kompany, Boateng; Yaya Toure; Milner, Barry (Johnson 68), Silva; Adebayor (Zabeleta 77), Balotelli
Today we face the third consecutive tricky test as big spenders Manchester City come to town.
We'll have Karl Henry back from suspension to give us more options in midfield but I suspect Mick McCarthy will pick the same middle three that served us well last season in Henry, David Jones and Michael Mancienne. Jody Craddock remains injured but Steve Mouyokolo's good performance at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup should give Richard Stearman's place a run for it's money and likewise for George Elokobi as he challenges Stephen Ward for the left-back slot.
As for City, Carlos Tevez, he has a dead leg and should be out for two weeks (between the lines, he's been given compassionate leave) so it's a chance for Mario Balotelli to make his first start since his absurdly big money move from Inter Milan. Dederick Boyata is suspended but Kolo Toure should back in after recovering from a hamstring, although it would be great if Joleon Lescott stepped in for the sake of a good ovation from us. It's worth noting that City have a dodgy track record away from home this season, losing to Sunderland and scraping a win at Blackpool.
I can't predict who will win, but it will be closer than it suggests on paper and the fixture last season.
'Grobs'
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
WOLVES: Hahnemann, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Jarvis, Henry, Mancienne, Jones, Hunt, Doyle
MAN CITY: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Boateng, Barry, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Milner, Balotelli, Silva
ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)
WIN: Wolves 4/1; Draw 9/4; Man City 4/5
FIRST GOALSCORER: Adebayor (Man City) 9/4; Balotelli (Man City) 5/1; Johnson (Man City) 7/1; Milner (Man City) 8/1; Fletcher (Wolves) 8/1; Doyle (Wolves) 9/1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 10/1; Hunt (Wolves) 14/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 16/1; Richards (Man City) 20/1; Foley (Wolves) 50/1
KEY PLAYER: David Silva. The Spanish international is just starting to turn on the style.
WEAKEST PLAYER: Kolo Toure. Just returned from injury. Our chances should come if we test him early doors.
NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Kennedy, Joleon Lescott, Steve Daley, Dave Wagstaffe, Keith Curle, Paul Simpson
Eight games, six points and here come the Four Horsemen Of The Premiership Apocalypse and I'm not talking about Conquest, War, Famine and Death, but Ancelotti, Mancini, 'Taggart' and Wenger. To kept the results respectable or even withstand any chance of getting a measly point, we must set our stall out - 4-5-1, men behind the ball and get forward whenever possible - like we did in the latter half of last season. Let's take a quick close glance at what could be the top 4 come May.
Chelsea (a)
Even with the absense of Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, they should win with no need to move to top gear. Way too much firepower with Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Flourent Malouda still at large.
Manchester City (h)
Their away form has been rather unconvincing so far this season and should Carlos Tevez not be available for selection, then they could pay the price for their over-reliance on the Argentinian striker.
Manchester United (a)
They've not been the most convincing this season. However Old Trafford is quite a fortress and after West Brom grabbed a draw there, 'Taggart' will look to make sure more points aren't dropped at home to smaller sides.
Arsenal (h)
Like Manchester City, their away form hasn't been the best season. And with the absense of Robin van Persie and (potentially) Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal can be a ordinary side on a bad day. Play our cards right and test whichever keeper Arsene Wenger chooses to put out and we could get summat.
But all in all, points at this stage, points should be considered as a bonus as our priority is to finish these next four games with our pride and confidence intact, otherwise we might not turn up for the more winnable games after.
'Grobs'
