Man City defeat could have come at worst possible time for Phil Foden and Pep Guardiola

Bad timing for Foden?

Pep Guardiola spent his pre-match press conference explaining why Phil Foden and other Manchester City youngsters can't just walk into his team. There is an expectation that the Blues will go far in every competition they play and when you have midfielders as good as they do it is a gamble usually deemed not worth taking to blood potential players - even if minutes is vital to their development.

Foden, as the beacon of the academy although also hoping to make it in the position where competition is most fierce, has been told to expect opportunities as his progress continues and will surely get them as the games stack up. Given the collective performance against Wolves, both player and manager may be lamenting the timing of the international break.

Were City in action in midweek, the situation would be more ideal than most for Foden to show he can improve on what was seen against Wolves and Guardiola to remind critics of the Englishman's value to the first-team squad.

As it is, by the time Crystal Palace away rolls round Kevin De Bruyne will likely be fit and memory of the middling performances on Sunday more distant.

Mahrez moment highlights Wolves strength

Wolves deserved a lot of credit, again, for the way they lined up against City as they caused them problems for the third consecutive season. The home team were starved of both time on the ball and options to move the game on, something not many opponents either attempt or have the skill to execute.

City's struggles were shown in a piece of play during the first half when Riyad Mahrez - one of their most creative players - was forced to carry the ball from the Wolves half all the way back to his own goal as every avenue to release the ball was closed down by the visiting pack. He eventually gave it to Ederson, who tried to give it back when he realised he had no other available option but only managed to find touch.

(Manchester City FC via Getty Ima)

The Blues had the best parts of their game neutralised and their weaknesses were finally picked off when Adama Traore slotted past the goalkeeper for a fully-deserved goal ten minutes from time.

De Bruyne absence noticed again

That's three times now that City have played in the Premier League or Champions League this season without Kevin De Bruyne and they are the only three games that the team have failed to score in the first half. They've averaged two goals in the first half when De Bruyne has played.

All fingers will be crossed hoping the Belgian is fit for the trip to Crystal Palace in a few weeks.