Wolves 1-2 Man City: According to PGMOL Before the VAR-recommended review, John Stones' victory was disallowed.

The referee may have "subconsciously" preferred Man City while granting John Stones' dramatic last-minute winner in Wolves' 2-1 loss at Molineux, according to Wolves manager Gary O'Neill.

The PGMOL stated that Stones' header, which occurred well into stoppage time, was disallowed on the pitch before VAR suggested a replay.

Referee Chris Kavanagh reversed the first ruling that Bernardo Silva was in an offside position near custodian Jose Sa by using the video monitor.

Silva was seen to have moved away from Sa and out of the goalkeeper's line of sight when Stones headed the ball, according to the study.

The decision and review process only took offside into account. Silva appeared to push Sa, but it wasn't considered a foul in play, and VAR didn't examine it.

O'Neil brought up what he saw to be inconsistent officiating by citing the instance of Max Kilman's goal for Wolves against West Ham being disallowed in April of the previous season.

"We were informed that Tawanda Chirewa had an effect on the custodian because of his close proximity to him, which is why Kilman's goal was given." Jose Sa is most likely less than a yard away from Bernardo Silva."

"The same argument could be made, but I am sure they will tell us it was the right call and everyone got it right."

In his press conference following the game, O'Neil then hinted that the officials would prefer to annoy the "little guy" than "a buy guy," although he emphasised that "let's be clear, there is no chance that people are doing things against Wolves on purpose."

He continued: "Is there something in the subconscious around decision-making, or without even knowing it, are you more likely to give it to Manchester City than Wolves?"

"I would upset the little guy if I had to upset someone in the street between a big guy and a little guy," he continued. I have nothing against small men, but you see what I mean? It's not like they do it on purpose, but there is something in there.

"I have complete respect for them because I know they are being really honest and trying their hardest. But when things get really tight, perhaps something merely tiptoes in that direction."

Stones' goal was disallowed on the pitch because Bernardo Silva was in the goalkeeper's line of sight and in an offside position, according to the PGMOL statement.

"The VAR advised an on-field review after finding that Bernardo Silva wasn't in the goalkeeper's line of sight or having any effect on him. The referee reversed his earlier ruling and gave the goal."

Regarding O'Neil's post-match comments, the PGMOL had nothing to say.

Analysis: Man City's late winner has two problems.

Man City's late winner and the way the referees read the play have two important components.

First, given that goalie Sa can see Bernardo Silva, is he offside? According to the PGMOL, this is the reason the objective was originally disregarded. After the goal was initially disallowed, VAR determined that Bernardo Silva wasn't in Sa's line of sight and recommended an on-field review, which resulted in the goal being granted.

Where was Bernardo Silva when Stones made contact with his header is the crucial question. Well out of Sa's field of vision, is the response.

Second, was Sa fouled by Bernardo Silva? PGMOL did not address this matter in its following article on X, but we do have instruction that the incident was not deemed to be a foul.

"There's a slight nudge that puts the keeper off balance so he's not set [when Stones heads the ball] so I can understand why Wolves will feel aggrieved at this particular moment," Micah Richards, a Sky Sports analyst, said.

"I do believe he's impacted the goalkeeper's ability to save it," said.

O'Neil: Not many things have gone our way.
Manager of Wolves Gary O'Neil:

"I kept my composure [after the goal was announced]. At Wolves, I took part in a couple of those. Not many things have gone our way. I anticipated the result that we obtained.

"On that decision, there are some details and grey areas that you can decide on any way. I wasn't really sure that would work out for us.

"A few parallels with our match against West Ham from the previous campaign. We provided the referee with some photos that amply demonstrated the West Ham goalkeeper's ability to see the ball.

"The explanation provided was that Tawanda Chirewa did affect the goalie because of his near proximity to him. Jose Sa is most likely less than a yard away from Bernardo Silva.

"The same argument could be made, but I am sure they will tell us it was the right call and everyone got it right."