Premier League release statement after Man City secure controversial win over Wolves

John Stones scored a late winner for Manchester City

John Stones scored a late winner for Manchester City

PA
Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 20/10/2024

- 16:10

Updated: 20/10/2024

- 16:49

John Stones won all three points for Manchester City against Wolves in a dramatic ending.

The Premier League have released an explanation as to why John Stones' late winner against Wolves was given by referee Chris Kavanagh.

Wolves appeared on course for a huge point against the defending champions until Stones headed in past Jose Sa in stoppage time.


The City players ran off in celebration before they were stopped in their tracks with a VAR check for offside underway.

Replays showed Bernardo Silva standing in an offside position blocking Sa at one stage.

John Stones scored a late winner for Manchester City

John Stones scored a late winner for Manchester City

PA

Chris Kavanagh was sent to the screen on the side of the pitch before awarding the goal for City.

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil was left incensed after the decision and was seen in conversation with Kavanagh after the match.

The Premier League have now released a statement to explain what happened between the referee and VAR.

The Premier League match centre wrote on X: "Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision.

"The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review.

"The referee overturned his original decision and a goal was awarded."

The decision was scrutinised on Sky Sports after the match with Micah Richards understanding why Wolves were left feeling hard done by.

"I would like to see a goal be given for this because I don't think there's too much contact," Richards said on Sky Sports.

Chris Kavanagh was mobbed by the players

Chris Kavanagh was mobbed by the players

PA

"But the fact of the matter is that he [Silva] is still in the keeper's way so it has affected the play in my opinion.

"You want consistency as sometimes you see these given and sometimes not.

"There's a slight nudge that puts the keeper off balance so he's not set so I can understand why Wolves will feel aggrieved at this particular moment."

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Gary O'Neil was left furious after the game

Gary O'Neil was left furious after the game

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According to the laws of the game, a player will be penalised if they are:

"Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision; or challenging an opponent for the ball; or clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent; or making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball."

The win for City put them top of the Premier League while Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

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