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Manchester City stumble at home against Wolves in 2-0 defeat

By Shane McFarland

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (R) gives instructions to Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (R) gives instructions to Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Are Manchester City’s hopes of a third consecutive Premier League title slipping away?

It’s been more than an entire calendar year and some change since two-time defending Premier League champions Manchester City have been shutout at the Etihad Stadium. On Sunday, the Sky Blues fell 2-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in a performance that many around Manchester will want to forget quickly.

Despite possessing the ball at a 3-1 clip against Wolves and generating more than twice the amount of shots, City were unable to find the back of the net against a side that has conceded the fifth most goals in the Premier League this season. To their credit, Wolves played a well-organized game, a hallmark of manager Nuno Espírito Santo, and made the most of their chances when they were able to hit City on the counter attack thanks to two goals from Adama Traoré.

What has become increasingly clear in recent weeks and perhaps most glaringly against Wolves is the absence of key City centre back Aymeric Laporte who was lost to a knee injury in a win against Brighton earlier in the season that will have the French defender sidelined until the beginning of next year. Since then, manager Pep Guardiola has deployed a makeshift defense that has included defensive midfielder Fernandinho at centre back alongside Nicolás Otamendi and a rotating cast of fullbacks. In short, the defense has lacked the continuity it had last season when it kept 20 clean sheets during league play. It won’t be a quick fix, but something City will have to address going forward whether that means waiting for Laporte to become fully fit or making a move during the winter transfer window.

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Likewise, City were without star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne this week due to a groin injury, though it’s not to be a considered an issue that will keep out the league’s leading assist man out for too long. The club hopes to have him back after the international break. His creativity was sorely missed in the middle of the pitch as was his instinct for the final killer pass that never quite seemed to come against Wolves. It’s at time like these that one can see just how integral De Bruyne is for this club. He’s the engine that gets the Sky Blues firing at their highest levels.

All things considered, all is not lost for City. At least not yet. They’re still arguably the most talented and deepest squad in Europe and should make another push for a Champions League title. However, with this shocking loss at home against Wolves, the divide between them and Liverpool who sit atop the table has now extended to a full 8 points. City’s margin for error has become that much slimmer if they hope to hoist up a third consecutive league title.

Next. Opinion: The Pochettino era at Tottenham appears to be on its last legs. dark

What do you think? Does Manchester City have enough to overcome Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title?

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