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Manchester City edged past a stubborn Wolverhampton Wanderers side in the Premier League on Saturday. Raheem Sterling's second-half penalty ensured a 1-0 win against the ten-man visitors.
Wolves were reduced to ten men at the end of the first half when Raul Jimenez was booked twice in the space of 31 seconds. The visitors held their own despite their numerical disadvantage, but a controversial penalty proved to be their undoing.
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Manchester City's sixth consecutive win in the Premier League takes them three points clear at the top. They face Leeds United at home in midweek, where they'll look to continue their winning streak.
On that note, here's a look at five talking points from the game.
#5 Jose Sa stands strong amidst Manchester City's attacking onslaught
Jose Sa was beaten just once against Manchester City, thanks to Raheem Sterling's calm finish from the penalty spot. He was sharp between the sticks, making eight saves to deny City. That included one superb reflex save at the near post from Gabriel Jesus' venomous strike in the second half.
Sa was on top of his game right until the final whistle, also denying Phil Foden from close range. The City midfielder's left-footed strike was deflected by Sa off his leg and away to safety.
Manchester City were not able to make much of their 72% possession in the game. Despite having ten shots on target, they were unable to beat Sa from open play. His reflexes between the stick ensured Wolves went down fighting against the league leaders.
#4 Manchester City defenders overwhelm Adama Traore
Manchester City defenders seemed to have a clear-cut strategy of neutralising Wolves' attack in the game. That included stopping Adama Traore in his tracks.
The Spaniard was not allowed an inch of space to manoeuvre in the final third whenever the visitors managed to get the ball to him, City players swarmed Traore and knocked him off the ball.
He could not record a single shot on target or a key pass on the night. He was fouled four times in the game, twice more than any other player on the pitch. Two City players, Rodri and Ruben Dias, were booked for their fouls on Traore.
#3 Raul Jimenez earns a bizarre red card with two bookings in 31 seconds
Manchester City received a boost at the end of the first half when Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez was sent off in the second minute of injury time.
The Mexico international earned his first yellow of the game for a late challenge on Rodri, with his outstretched leg bringing the midfielder down. He refused to back down from the ensuing free-kick, and was booked just 31 seconds later for needlessly blocking the ball.
Referee Jon Moss showed no hesitation in giving Jimenez his marching orders as late drama ensued on the pitch. The Mexican refused to leave the pitch, as he seemed to be in disbelief at the decision. His antics meant the half-time whistle was blown in the 53rd minute.
#2 Manchester City benefit from VAR drama at the Etihad
Manchester City found themselves the beneficiaries of a controversial handball, scoring the winner off a VAR-awarded penalty.
Bernardo Silva's cross from the left hit Joao Moutinho's armpit and then his arm. But Jon Moss awarded a penalty, a decision that was upheld by VAR.
Moss had a decent night in the office, making some good calls earlier in the game. Manchester City's penalty call against Max Kilman was rightfully denied, as the player had his arms by his side.
He called for immediate medical attention when Ruben Neves and Kilman clashed right in front of the Wolves box in the first half. Kilman sat upright with a bloodied face while Neves remained on the ground for a while before getting up.
Wolves are justified to be unhappy with the penalty decision, and what's more surprising is that VAR also upheld the same.
#1 Raheem Sterling enters the Premier League 100-goal club
Raheem Sterling joined the 100-goal club in the Premier League when he scored City's winner from the penalty spot against Wolves. He is the 32nd player to accomplish the feat in the English top flight, and the seventh-youngest player to do so aged 27 years and three days.
He slotted his effort calmly into the middle of the net after sending Sa to the right. It was only his second goal from the spot in the competition.
Sterling was not the only centurion on the pitch, though. Goalkeeper Ederson kept his 100th clean sheet across competitions for Manchester City in a game where he had only one save to make. The Brazilian has kept 79 clean sheets in the Premier League.
