Manchester City kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium on May 2, 2025. A first-half strike from Kevin De Bruyne proved decisive in a tense Premier League encounter as Pep Guardiola’s men moved back into the top three.

The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when Jeremy Doku delivered a clever cutback into the box, which De Bruyne finished with precision to give Manchester City a crucial lead. The goal marked De Bruyne’s 250th goal involvement under Pep Guardiola, a feat previously achieved only by Lionel Messi during Guardiola’s time at Barcelona.

City dominated possession for much of the game but were unable to find a second goal to kill off the contest. Wolves, to their credit, created several chances in the second half, with Matheus Cunha coming closest to equalizing after hitting the post. However, the defending Premier League champions held on for all three points.

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With this result, Manchester City climbed to third place in the Premier League table on 64 points after 35 games—two points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle United, who still have a game in hand. The win also extended City’s unbeaten run to seven matches across all competitions, as they push for a top-four finish.

Guardiola was full of praise for his side’s discipline and De Bruyne’s continued impact, calling the Belgian “a leader with quality and intelligence.” The manager stressed that every point is vital with just a handful of fixtures remaining in the race for Champions League qualification.

Looking ahead, City’s focus remains fixed on securing their place in Europe’s elite competition for the 2025–26 season. With tough fixtures still to come, Guardiola knows his side cannot afford to slip, especially with rivals breathing down their necks.

As for De Bruyne, his record-breaking milestone is another chapter in an already legendary career at the Etihad. With 250 goal involvements under Guardiola, he has proven to be one of the most influential players in the club’s modern era.