Man City strengthens Champions League push with narrow win

Manchester City secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night, tightening their grip on a Champions League spot as the Premier League season heads into its decisive final stretch. Kevin De Bruyne, playing one of his final matches for City before leaving at the end of the season, delivered the game’s only goal.

De Bruyne makes the difference

With Champions League qualification far from guaranteed, City entered the match knowing three points were essential. Pep Guardiola’s side started the evening in fourth place with 61 points, just one point ahead of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest. From kickoff, City dominated possession but struggled to carve out clear chances against a disciplined Wolves defense. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 35th minute when Jérémy Doku set up fellow Belgian De Bruyne, who clinically slotted the ball home to make it 1-0.

Second-half pressure without more goals

In the second half, City worked hard to secure the win. Omar Marmoush and Mateo Kovacic both had opportunities to extend the lead, but the Wolves defense and goalkeeper held firm. Despite their control of the game, City couldn’t find a second goal and had to remain focused to prevent Wolves from snatching a late equalizer. Ultimately, the one-goal margin proved enough. City’s defense remained solid, and the final whistle confirmed a vital three points in the race for a top-four finish.

What’s next in the Champions League race

With this win, Manchester City temporarily moves into the Premier League’s top three, though they’ll be watching closely as Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest play their matches over the weekend. Newcastle can reclaim third place if they beat Brighton, while Chelsea and Nottingham Forest will aim to close the gap when they face Liverpool and Crystal Palace, respectively. As the competition intensifies, Guardiola’s team will need to maintain momentum if they want to secure their spot among Europe’s elite next season. For De Bruyne, the victory was a fitting moment as he continues his farewell tour with the club that has defined much of his career.