Five Takeaways as Manchester City lose to Wolves

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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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 06: Raheem Sterling of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium on October 6, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images) /

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City looked lifeless as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Wolves, leaving an eight-point gap at the top of the league.

Manchester City’s defense once again struggled as their second loss of the season put any sort of title challenge in dire straits. City’s attack also looked extremely off in the defeat, failing to even register significant chances before a late Adama Traoré brace on the counter-attack sealed the victory for Wolverhampton.

After falling to Norwich earlier this season, consecutive victories both domestically and in the Champions League inspired confidence that City could get back into the title race as they chase their third consecutive league crown.

This weekend undoubtedly represented a landmark turning point in a title race that appears to be edging ever-closer to a blowout, as Liverpool claimed victory over Leicester City with a late penalty on Saturday before City’s lackluster performance at the Etihad the following day.

Although it does appear premature to call the title race dead in October on the surface, there are several warning signs that make it clear that City will not be able to push Liverpool to the finish this season, and that the Reds will claim their first-ever Premier League title.

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