MANCHESTER: England forward Raheem Sterling’s 100th Premier League goal was enough to earn leaders Manchester City a 1-0 win over 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Wolves were doing a fine job of frustrating City in the opening period before striker Raul Jimenez’s dismissal for two yellow cards in quick succession in first-half stoppage time changed the complexion of the game.

City dominated the second half as a result, edging in front through Sterling’s penalty — a decision that required a lengthy VAR check — in the 66th minute.

The home side had plenty of chances to make the result more comfortable, with Jack Grealish’s struggles since becoming the British record transfer in the close season continuing as he missed from close range.

However, one goal proved enough for City who picked up their sixth successive league win to move four points clear of Liverpool, who were hosting Aston Villa later on Saturday, at the top of the standings.

Wolves, who battled hard as decisions went against them at the Etihad Stadium, stay eighth on 21 from 16 games.

The game hinged on one moment of madness. Wolves looked comfortable going into the interval before Jimenez’s needless dismissal gave City the lift they needed.

The Mexico international received his first yellow card for a foul on midfielder Rodri and 31 seconds later got another for blocking Rodris free-kick having not retreated enough.

After the break, it was all-out attack from City, with Conor Coady clearing off the line to deny Ilkay Gundogan.

Referee Jon Moss then further ensured he won’t be welcome in Wolverhampton anytime soon after awarding City a penalty for handball against Joao Moutinho.

The Portugal midfielder was adamant the ball hit his ribs but, following a long delay while the video assistant referee checked the incident, Mosss decision stood.

Sterling slotted the penalty down the middle, becoming the 32nd player to reach 100 Premier League goals.

“[It] is a lovely achievement,” Sterling told BT Sport. “There are some fantastic players in that list. I’m really honoured to be in it now.

“We knew we [City] had to keep patient. They kept it really tight, but we knew if we kept playing wed get an opportunity -and we did.”

The hosts should have made the win more comfortable. Bernardo Silva was denied by a smart save from Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, while several other last-ditch blocks kept them at bay.

The visitors piled forward late on and had one last-gasp opportunity to snatch a point, but Ederson tipped Max Kilman’s header over the bar.

On Friday, Brentford scored a stoppage-time penalty through Bryan Mbuemo following Pontus Jansson’s header to secure a comeback 2-1 home win over Watford as they cancelled out a first-half opener from Emmanuel Dennis.

The result lifted Brentford to ninth on 20 points from 16 games, while Watford stayed 17th on 13, three points above the relegation zone.

Watford seemed to be home and dry in the closing stages after making light work of keeping the hosts at bay in the second half, before collapsing in the last 10 minutes as they conceded a pair of soft goals.

Brentford made the brighter start as visiting goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann tipped over a Shandon Baptiste shot in the fourth minute and then kept out a Mbuemo effort before Watford sprung to life midway through the first half.

Joshua King hit the post for the visitors in the 24th minute and Dennis fired them ahead less than 60 seconds later, powering in a thumping header from a Tom Cleverley corner.

Brentford pressed after the break and Bachmann produced another fine save in the 74th minute to palm away a stinging shot by Christian Noergaard before King had an effort smothered at the other end by home keeper Alvaro Fernandez.

But the home side drew level in the 84th minute as Jansson glanced in a close-range header before Mbeumo turned the match with a penalty at the death after William Troost-Ekong fouled substitute Saman Ghoddos.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2021