'Give Liverpool the title': Crazy moment leaves Man City hopes in tatters

Manchester City's hopes of defending their Premier League title are effectively over after a "crazy" loss against Wolves in the Premier League.

A red card for City goalkeeper Ederson inside the opening 15 minutes eventually proved critical as Wolves staged a stunning fightback to steal all three points.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admits his side's hopes of winning a third straight Premier League title are "unrealistic" after the chaotic 3-2 loss.

Despite being reduced to 10 men so early in the contest, City actually took a 2-0 lead away at Wolves thanks to a double from Raheem Sterling.

However, second half goals to Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Matt Doherty secured a remarkable comeback win for the home side, who moved into fifth on the Premier League table.

City remain third, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand on the top two.

Just like City's manager, viewers were convinced that Ederson's red card inadvertently handed the title to the Reds.

"It (the gap) is big for a long time," Guardiola said.

"It is not realistic to think about the title race. I have been asked the question for a long time and it is the same answer."

Sergio Aguero started for City after injury but the visitors made the worst possible start as Ederson was sent off on 12 minutes when he raced out of his area and brought down Diogo Jota.

Despite the one-man deficit, Sterling put City in front and doubled their lead five minutes into the second half.

Sterling's opening goal was from the spot after Riyad Mahrez went down in the area. VAR gave the penalty and Sterling's initial effort was saved by Rui Patricio.

But the spot-kick was ordered to be retaken due to encroachment and, after the goalkeeper saved again, Sterling tapped in the rebound.

His second in the 50th minute was more straight forward as he broke through and lifted the ball over an advancing Patricio.

Traore reduced the deficit to one goal and then laid on the second for Jimenez before Doherty won it with a superb third one minute from the end of normal time.

Catching Liverpool ‘unrealistic’ for City

Guardiola said City now need to forget about Liverpool and focus on winning their next match (at home to Sheffield United on Sunday).

"We have to think of the next game and about winning our games," he said.

"It's unrealistic to think about that (catching Liverpool). In 48 hours we have another game."

Sterling hit the woodwork in injury time but Wolves held on to become the first team to beat a Guardiola side home and away in the league since Chelsea in 2016-17.

"It was a good night, a very good night," Wolves manager Nuno Esperito Santo said.

"The game was fantastic. Everything changes with City with one man less but it was very good.

"We conceded the second goal and made it hard for ourselves but it was a fantastic reaction. It was very good, the goals were nice, just very good."

Doherty crowned the comeback with a stunning third and said he could barely believe the way his teammates had come back against the champions.

"It's pretty special," Doherty said. "They were 2-0 up at one point. I can hardly hear myself speak.

"Just to come back was unbelievable. We never give up and that sums up our form at the moment."

With AAP