KARL WHITEHOUSE LOOKS AT THE HISTORY OF WOLVES V MANCHESTER CITY
FIRST MEETINGS
- The first meeting of the two clubs was in Division 1 was on the 30th September 1899, played at Hyde Road and the game finished 1-1.
- FA Cup – The first meeting in the FA Cup was in the 2nd Round of the competition, this was played on the 4th February 1911 and the game ended in a 1-0 win for Wolves.
- League Cup – The teams first met in the League cup in the 2nd Round of the competition, played at Maine Road on the 8th September 1971, the game ended in a 4-3 win for Man City.
- Premier League – The first meeting in the Premier league was on the 4th October 2003 played at Molineux in front of 29,386 fans and the game ended in a 1-0 win for Wolves.
MATCH OF THE DAY
There was a game near to the date of the upcoming meeting in the premier league which was played on 4th May 1935 the game finished 5-0 to Manchester City & 4th May 2024 the game finished 5-1 to Manchester City.
OTHER MEETINGS
There was another meeting between the two sides in the Premier League Asia Cup final played at the Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai. The game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and then went straight to a penalty shootout and Wolves won the shootout 3-2 to win the Premier League Asia cup for the first time.
pre season friendlies
24th February 1900 Wolves won game 2-1
23rd May 1977 Manchester City won game 2-1
2nd August 1995 Wolves won game 2-1
30th July 2004 Manchester City won game 3-1
most recent MEETINGS
Premier League – The most recent game was on the 20th October 2024 the game finished 2-1 to Manchester City the scorer for Wolves was Jorgen Strand Larsen, Manchester City scorers were Josko Gvardiol and John Stones in front of 31,319 fans.
- League Cup – The most recent game was on the 24th October 2017 which was at the Etihad Stadium in front of 50,755 fans and this game was a 4th Round Tie which ended in 0-0 draw after extra time and went to a penalty shootout where the game finished in a 4-1 shootout win for Man City.
LAST 6 MEETINGS
11th May 2022 Wolves 1 Manchester City 5 at Molineux.
17th September 2022 Wolves 0 Manchester City 3 at Molineux.
22nd January 2023 Manchester City 3 Wolves 0 at Etihad Stadium.
30th September 2023 Wolves 2 Manchester City 1 at Molineux.
4th May 2024 Manchester City 5 Wolves 1 at Etihad Stadium.
20th October 2024 Wolves 1 Manchester City 2 at Molineux.
BIGGEST WIN
- Division 1 – The biggest Wolves win was on the 23rd December 1933 played at Molineux in front of 20,640 fans with a 8-0 win for Wolves.
- Premier League – The biggest win was on the 6th October 2019 played at the Etihad Stadium in front of 54,435 fans with a 2-0 win for Wolves with Adama Traore getting both goals and this was the first win at Man City since 8th August 1999 when Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game in Division 1 at Maine Road.
- FA Cup – The biggest win was on the 16th January 1952 played at Molineux which was a 3rd round replay after the original game played on the 12th January 1952 ended in a 2-2 draw and the replay ended in a 4-1 win for Wolves.
DO YOU REMEMBER?
Manchester City 3 Wolves 3 10th April 2004
Wolves entered this match still searching for their first away win in the Premier League this season, but they started brightly. Early on, Cort and Newton both tested Manchester City goalkeeper David James with sharp attempts.
At the other end, Wolves keeper Matt Jones was also busy, making a good save from Fowler after McManaman created space in the penalty area.
In the 13th minute, Wolves broke through. After Camara’s corner was only partially cleared by Tarnat, the ball fell to former City player Kennedy. From 25 yards, Kennedy struck a powerful shot past James, putting Wolves 1-0 up.
Wolves kept up the pressure and doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. Tarnat, again under pressure, played a poor back pass to James. Camara rushed in and forced a save, but the rebound fell to Cort, who finished to make it 2-0.
Moments later, City pulled one back. Tarnat made up for his earlier mistakes by delivering a quality cross for Anelka, who slipped past Butler and headed in off the post. It was 2-1 after 25 minutes.
Both teams continued creating chances. Fowler, for City, hit the side netting, while Camara’s shot for Wolves struck the post with Dunne stranded.
Six minutes before halftime, City found the equaliser. Tarnat curled in a free kick, finding Sibierski in space to head past Jones and level the score at 2-2.
Half time: Manchester City 2, Wolves 2
The second half was less frantic but still lively. Wolves created the better chances, with James denying Cort from close range. Wolves then won a penalty after Dunne brought down Camara, but Cameron’s spot kick was saved by James.
With 12 minutes to go, Wolves regained the lead. James failed to hold Kennedy’s free kick, allowing Camara to smash in the rebound and put Wolves up 3-2.
City pressed late and, in the final seconds, snatched an equaliser. Tarnat’s free kick fell to Wright-Phillips, whose low shot found the corner to make it 3-3 and deny Wolves their first away win of the season.
Full time: Manchester City 3, Wolves 3
Manchester City: James, Jihai, Dunne, Distin, Tarnat, Wright-Phillips, Bosvelt, Sibierski, McManaman, Anelka, Fowler.
Substitutes: Arason, Macken, Sinclair, Barton, Wanchope.
Manager: Kevin Keegan
Wolves: Jones, Clyde, Okoronkwo, Butler, Naylor, Newton, Cameron, Ince, Kennedy, Cort, Camara.
Substitutes: Oakes, Ganea, Irwin, Gudjonsson, Miller.
Manager: Dave Jones
BIGGEST defeat
- Division 2 – The biggest defeat was on the 18th December 1909 played at Hyde Road and the game finished in a 6-0 win for Man City.
- Division 1 – The biggest defeat was on the 21st March 1904 played at Molineux and the game finished 6-1 to Man City.
- Premier League – The biggest defeat between the two clubs has already been mentioned in the most recent meeting meetings section.
head to head stats
Do you remember this classic game?
Manchester City 2 Wolves 3 1st December 1979
This match featured Wolves in 10th place taking on 12th-placed Manchester City.
Wolves started the stronger side, putting City’s defence under pressure early. Their efforts paid off after 17 minutes when Palmer delivered a perfect cross to Gray, who broke free of his marker and finished past Corrigan. This was Gray’s sixth goal since joining Wolves, putting them up 1-0.
City equalised when Daley set up Palmer, who made a determined run and beat the onrushing Bradshaw, slotting into an empty net to make it 1-1.
Just two minutes later, Wolves regained the lead. Carr found Thomas, who fired the ball across goal to Hibbitt. His first shot was saved, but he headed in the rebound to restore the Wolves advantage at 2-1.
Wolves struck again ten minutes into the second half. Thomas crossed into the box, and the defence’s poor clearance fell for Daniel. He struck a fierce shot into the net, making it 3-1 to Wolves.
Near the end, Manchester City pulled one back when a low cross found Deyna, who scored to make it 3-2. This set up a nervous finish, but Wolves held on for the win. It was only their second victory in 16 games at Maine Road.
Final score: Manchester City 2, Wolves 3
Manchester City: Corrigan, Ranson, Donachie, Booth, Caton, Stepanovic, Bennett, Daley, Palmer, Henry, Deyna.
Substitute: Lee
Goals: Palmer (40), Deyna (89)
Manager: Malcolm Allison
Wolves: Bradshaw, Palmer, Parkin, Daniel, Hughes, Berry, Hibbitt, Carr, Gray, Richards, Thomas.
Substitute: Brazier
Goals: Gray (17), Hibbitt (42), Daniel (55)
Manager: John Barnwell
Attendance: 33,894
PLAYING FOR BOTH TEAMS
Dave Wagstaffe Played for Man City 1960-1964 made 144 appearances and scored 8 goals and played for Wolves 1964-1974 made 324 appearances and scored 26 goals.
Steve Daley Played for Wolves 1971-1979 made 212 appearances and scored 38 goals and played for Man City 1979-1981 made 48 appearances and scored 4 goals.
Mark Kennedy Played for Man City 1999-2001 made 66 appearances and scored 8 goals and played for Wolves 2001-2006 made 167 appearances and scored 12 goals.
Robert Taylor Played for Man City 1999-2000 made 12 appearances and scored 5 goals and played for Wolves 2000-2002 made 9 appearances and scored 0 goals.
Joleon Lescott Played for Wolves 2000-2006 made 212 appearances and scored 13 goals and played for Man City 2009-2014 made 107 appearances and scored 7 goals.
Mikkel Bischoff Played for Man City 2002-2006 made 1 appearance and scored 0 goals and played for Wolves 2004-2005 made 11 appearances and scored 0 goals.
Stephen Elliott Played for Man City 2003-2004 made 2 appearances and scored 0 goals and played for Wolves 2007-2008 made 29 appearances and scored 4 goals.
Carlo Nash Played for Wolves 2000-2001 on a loan spell made 0 appearances and played for Man City 2001-2003 and made 38 appearances.
Keith Curle Played for Man City 1991-1996 made 174 appearances and scored 11 goals and played for Wolves 1996-2000 made 150 appearances and scored 10 goals.
John Burridge Played for Wolves 1982-1984 made 74 appearances and played for Man City 1994-1995 made 4 appearances.
Wayne Clarke Played for Wolves in 2 spells 1978-1984 and 1991 made 149 appearances and scored 30 goals and played for Man City 1990-1992 made 21 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Mike Stowell Played for Man City 1988 loan spell from Everton made 14 appearances and played for Wolves 1989 loan spell and 1990-2001 made 385 appearances.
Paul Stewart Played for Man City 1987-1988 made 51 appearances and scored 26 goals and played for Wolves in a loan spell made 8 appearances and scored 2 goals.
Matheus Nunes Played for Wolves 2022-2023 made 41 appearances and scored 1 goal and is currently playing for Man City after he moved there in the summer transfer window of 2023 for a club record fee of £53m made 35 appearances scored 1 goal.
Tommy Doyle Played for Man City 2009-2018 Youth Career, First Team 2019-2024 made 7 appearances and playing for Wolves 2023 to current day made 32 appearances scored 1 goal.
Other players who played for both clubs.
Bobby McDonald, Paul Simpson, Michael Branch, Fred Chadwick, Craig Davies, Dennis Westcott, Ken Whitfield, David Robson, George Swan, Sadou Diallo, Tim Flowers, Edward Francis, Wayne Hennessey, Joe Hodge, Eric Nixon, Carlos Forbs.
Played, Coached, Managed Both Teams.
Mick McCarthy Played for Man City 1983-1987 made 140 appearances and scored 2 goals and managed Wolves 2006-2012.
George Poyser Played for Wolves 1928-1929 unfortunately he made no appearances for the team and managed Man City 1963-1965.
Major Frank Buckley Played for Man City 1907-1908 made 11 appearances and managed Wolves 1927-1944.
Bobby Mimms Played for Man City 1987 in a loan spell from Everton and was goalkeeping coach 2001-2008 for Wolves.
Jack Wilson Man City Match Analyst 2022-2024 & Wolves Set Piece Coach 2024 for 4 months.
Kenny Jackett Manchester City reserves manger March 2007 & Wolves manager June 2013 to August 2016.
ARTICLE BY KARL WHITEHOUSE
I have been a Wolves fan for over 30 years.
I have supported them both home and away games in the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s and now like looking into wolves games the stats behind the games they play in the premier league and also look other stats if asked by someone else in the podcast. I have also done the 92 football league grounds and shortly be doing a ebook about peoples favourite match they went to along with a match report and if possible stats from game