´It did feel like a harsh one´ – Wolves boss O´Neil rues Man City late winner

Gary O’Neil felt the awarding of Manchester City’s stoppage-time winning goal was “harsh”, as Wolves were denied a share of the spoils at Molineux.

The hosts had frustrated the reigning Premier League champions for long periods, and looked like they would claim only a morale-boosting second point of the season.

However, there was to be a dramatic twist in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with John Stones powering home a header from Phil Foden’s corner to snatch all three points.

The goal was subjected to a VAR review after the referee’s assistant initially raised his flag, with Bernardo Silva in an offside position and in close proximity to Jose Sa.

However, Chris Kavanagh subsequently ruled Silva was not interfering with the Wolves goalkeeper, and O’Neil questioned the inconsistency of such decisions.

“I am trying to remain calm,” he said. “I have been involved in a few of those and not had many go in our favour, so I was expecting that outcome.

“There is some grey area that can go either way and, once it was like that, I wasn’t confident it would go our way.

“It was similar to a goal [Wolves had disallowed] against West Ham last season. We sent an image to referees showing proof that the West Ham keeper could see the ball, but the reason we were given was the player was in close proximity.

“The same argument could be said here, but we just have to accept it. I would rather not discuss it because it will still sound like I am making excuses. Whatever decision they make, I respect. We don’t want to cross that line, but it did feel like a harsh one.”

Last minute heartbreak at Molineux.

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— Wolves (@Wolves) October 20, 2024

Wolves replaced Southampton at the bottom of the Premier League table, and have now failed to win any of their opening eight league games in a season for the first time in 41 years.

But O’Neil believes his squad can build on the positives they demonstrated against City.

“I am proud of the players,” he added. “[It was] an unbelievable effort and we gave ourselves a great chance. I am gutted for the players that we had to leave with nothing.

“The performance was excellent. I thought the lads gave absolutely everything. We kept finding the answers, and we conceded a controversial goal late on. The things that could go against us today definitely did, but we have to take positives.

“It’s tough defending for so long, it is so hard to get out. They were working their socks off, they gave everything, they showed what they are, which is all I asked. We need to make sure it looks like that more often.

“It has been such a cruel run of fixtures. We need to keep standing up. We are where we are, and we need to make sure we keep producing the best of ourselves.”