Stones continues theme of producing clutch moments for Man City

Stepping up in key moments for Manchester City used to be Ilkay Gundogan's job. But now it is John Stones who is becoming the champions' most clutch player. 

Stones scored after 94 minutes and 33 seconds on Sunday to give Man City a 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was City's latest winning goal in a Premier League match since Erling Haaland netted one after 94 minutes and 34 seconds against Fulham in November 2022.

It was the first stoppage-time winner of Stones's Premier League career and it came just four matches after he scored an equaliser in the eighth minute of added time in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal. 

Watch Stones' late equaliser v Arsenal

Stones's two goals this season, in just five appearances, have therefore earned Man City a total of three points.

It continues a theme of the England defender being City's saviour. 

Of his 10 Premier League goals for the club, five have been winning goals and one was an equaliser.

Stones's Premier League goals

Remarkably, after just eight matchweeks in 2024/25, Stones is now only one short of the single-season record for total equalising and winning goals by a player. 

Stones needs one more to equal Papiss Cisse (2012/13), Troy Deeney (2015/16), Fernando Llorente (2016/17) and Cole Palmer (2023/24), who each scored a combined three equalising or winning goals for their team in one campaign.

Stones is clutch at both ends

Of course, some fans may also remember Stones producing a key moment at the other end of the pitch. 

In 2018/19, Stones made an incredible goalline clearance in a 2-1 win v Liverpool. He kept the ball out by a mere 1.12cm to help inflict Liverpool's ONLY defeat of the season, with City beating them to the Premier League title by just one point.

Watch Stones' iconic goalline clearance

'We've been working on set-pieces'

Stones has revealed that Man City have been working to improve their set-pieces, something that title rivals Arsenal have become so dangerous at. 

Arsenal have scored a league-high 26 goals from set-pieces since the start of last season, but Man City are not far behind, scoring 20, the third-most in the league, in the same period.

Of course, Arsenal were left to bemoan set-pieces this weekend, as they fell three points behind their rivals due to a combination of Stones's winner at Wolves and their own loss at AFC Bournemouth, which featured a superb corner-routine goal by the Cherries.

The set-piece goal Arsenal conceded

"We have been trying super hard to improve our set-pieces and make the most of them. Today was a new focus and attitude towards them," Stones told BBC Sport.

"Hopefully this is the start of many more. It is a vital part of the game at both ends of the pitch."

Man City manager Pep Guardiola added: "We are not used to winning games at the end, like Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool many times. It is a good flavour for us.

"We have been in that position, when you lose at the end. But this is the game. Both sides try to do their best. They had a game plan and I am so proud. We played the way we want to play and it is a joy to be here, to score in the last 50 seconds and go top of the league.

"Of course we take a look [at the standings] but after 10 or 12 games in the Premier League you don't have to see the table, it is just the beginning. But of course it is nice to be winning, you are alive and in that position.

"Liverpool have to play [later today] but we are top at the moment and that feeling is really good. The commitment from the players is unbelievable and that is why it is a joy."