Manchester City have progressed through to the EFL Cup quarter-finals with a penalty-shootout victory over a stubborn Wolverhampton Wanderers.
City went into the match having scored 39 times in 10 games, but Wolves kept Pep Guardiola's team out for 120 minutes, as well as wasting glorious opportunities of their own.
The match would eventually be decided from 12 yards, and missed spot kicks from Alfred N'Diaye and Conor Coady allowed City to prevail by a 4-1 scoreline.
Find out how all of the action unfolded at the Etihad Stadium courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
7.01pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the EFL Cup clash between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The clubs are heading the Premier League and Championship, but the chances are that we are going to see some of their fringe players this season. How have Pep Guardiola and Nuno Espirito Santo set up this evening? Let's find out...
7.03pmMANCHESTER CITY XI: Bravo; Danilo, Mangala, Adarabioyo; Zinchenko, Bernardo, Toure, Sterling, Gundogan; Aguero, Jesus
MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Ederson, Walker, Stones, De Bruyne, Delph, Sane, Nmecha
7.05pmWOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Norris; Batth, Coady, Hause; Bennett, Vinagre, N'Diaye, Price; Marshall, Costa, Enobakhare
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUBSTITUTES: Burgoyne, Doherty, Cavaleiro, Ronan, Miranda, Deslandes, Bonatini
7.07pmLet's start with the home side, with Guardiola opting to select both Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero in his starting lineup - unlucky Wolves! The pair have not started in the same match for more than a month, but for whatever reason, Guardiola has decided to put the duo in his attack for the game with the second-tier outfit.
7.09pmHowever, Guardiola has, at least, made some changes. Starting at the back, Claudio Bravo replaces Ederson, while there is also three alterations in defence with Danilo, Eliaquim Mangala and youngster Tosin Adarabioyo featuring in a back three. Twenty-year-old Adarabioyo is making just his fifth appearance in a City shirt.
7.11pmIn midfield, we get to see Alexander Zinchenko for the first time. The Ukrainian may only be 20 years of age but don't be fooled into thinking that the midfielder is another unproven youngster. He made 16 appearances on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season. It looks like he will start on the right-hand side.
7.13pmRaheem Sterling has also been recalled with Bernando Silva keeping his place in the team, but there are rare starts for Yaya Toure and Ilkay Gundogan in the centre.
7.15pmThe substitutes' bench is also full of first-teamers, but Luka Nmecha is probably a name you are not familiar with. The 18-year-old has four goals in three Premier League 2 fixtures this season. Expect to see him make his debut should City be home and hosed during the latter stages.
7.17pmLet's turn our attention to the visitors, with Nuno making a total of nine alterations to the team which registered a nervy 3-2 win over Preston North End on Saturday. Danny Batth and Conor Coady are the only two players to keep their place, with Matt Doherty, Ivan Cavaleiro, Roderick Miranda and Leo Bonatini all dropping down to the bench. The likes of Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota are not involved.
7.19pmGoalkeeper Will Norris continues his run in the competition - he put in man-of-the-match performances against Southampton and Bristol Rovers. There is also a first outing of the season for Kortney Hause, who missed pre-season and has been steadily working his way back up to full fitness. It's quite the night to return...
7.21pmWolves are force to use Ryan Bennett at right wing-back, who I'm sure is delighted to be coming up against Raheem Sterling when out of position. Ruben Vinagre comes in on the left, with Alfred N'Diaye and Jack Price - who has just signed a new contract - starting in the middle.
7.23pmIn attack, Bright Enobakhare is down to lead the line for Wolves, but I imagine that there will be rotation between the youngster, Ben Marshall and Helder Costa. Costa probably feels as though he has a point to prove after no longer finding himself as the star man at Molineux.
7.26pmWe were slightly surprised to see Aguero in the starting lineup but we probably shouldn't have been. Tonight could be a record-breaking night for the 29-year-old. The Argentine currently sits level with Eric Brook on 177 goals for City, and finding the back of the net this evening will see the forward top the standings. All of those goals have come in just 262 games. Not bad. He captains the side this evening.
7.28pmCity head into this game having won each of their last 10 matches in all competitions. That run started all the way back on August 26 with a 2-1 win at Bournemouth and since that moment, victories have seemingly been getting easier and easier for the club. A total of 39 goals have been scored during that period.
7.31pmIlkay Gundogan has been free from his injury troubles for some time now, but tonight's game represents just his second start of the season - the other coming in the win over West Bromwich Albion in the previous round. The German international has featured for 87 minutes in six substitute outings in the Premier League and Champions League, but there's no doubting that he requires more time on the pitch.
7.33pmThe same can be said of Yaya Toure. The Ivorian has played just 29 minutes of Premier League football this season - for reasons only known to those at City. The 34-year-old will be looking to make the most of his opportunity tonight.
7.35pmIn the build-up to this game, Jesus has been speaking about how he is relishing working with Aguero in attack, even though the Brazilian has sometimes being preferred to his fellow South American. It was only a matter of time before the duo appeared on the pitch at the same time again, but we must admit - we didn't expect it to be tonight. See what the 20-year-old has had to to say by clicking here.
7.38pmBefore we take a look at Wolves' form in the Championship, let's assess their run in the EFL Cup because Nuno's side have been required to win three matches to reach this stage. Victories over Yeovil Town and Bristol Rovers were expected, but winning away at Southampton - with a much-changed team - certainly wasn't. The plus points for Wolves were endless, but the highlight was the goal from Donovan Wilson, with the youngster scoring his first goal for the club on just his third appearance.
7.40pmRuben Vinagre was another to impress at St Mary's. The Portuguese teenager has since gone on to become an important part of this Wolves squad, but his performances have only been attracting more attention from the Premier League. Manchester City are allegedly one of the clubs taking a look at the AS Monaco loanee. He already looks perfected suited to the wing-back position.
7.42pmNuno has been forced to name a couple of players out of position this evening, and that includes Bennett. The former Norwich City man has found opportunities tough to come by in the centre and that has led to him being farmed out to right wing-back. The 27-year-old's only had 95 minutes of Championship football, combined with two starts in the League Cup.
7.45pmWe have already touched upon the Costa situation but the 23-year-old has been limited to just 133 minutes of action since returning from an ankle injury. Last season's player of the year has been unfortunate in the sense that he was substituted when Coady was sent off against Sheffield United and hauled off at the break when Wolves needed a striker against Aston Villa, but now is his opportunity to show that he is not a one-season wonder. Arsenal and Chelsea were allegedly sniffing about in the summer so that should mean the Portuguese has the ability to trouble a much-changed Man City defence, right? We shall wait and see...
7.48pmPREDICTION! We have to back City, don't we? The home side are packed with matchwinners - even after making nine changes - and regardless of the players which have been rested by Guardiola, it would still be considered a monumental upset should Wolves win. We are predicting an entertaining game, but City to prevail 4-1, with Aguero getting himself into the record books.
7.51pmHEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's encounter represents the 117th time in which these two teams have met in a competitive fixture, with both clubs recording 46 wins apiece. It has been over five years since the clubs squared off in the Premier League, with City prevailing 2-0 in April 2-12 thanks to goals from Aguero and Samir Nasri.
7.53pmCity have lost just one of the last eight fixtures between the sides, and there was a League Cup meeting as recent as 2011, with City registering a 5-2 victory at Molineux. Wolves took the lead on that occasion through Nenad Milijas, but two goals from Edin Dzeko helped turn things around in City's favour.
7.56pmYou have to go all the way back to the opening weekend of the 1999/2000 campaign for the last time that Wolves won on City soil. Robbie Keane got the goal on that occasion.
However, enough of that. It's time for the teams to make their way out at the Etihad Stadium. Wolves have brought over 6,000 supporters to the North-West. That's some effort.
7.58pmA reminder of the team news...
MANCHESTER CITY XI: Bravo; Danilo, Mangala, Adarabioyo; Zinchenko, Bernardo, Toure, Sterling, Gundogan; Aguero, Jesus
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Norris; Batth, Coady, Hause; Bennett, Vinagre, N'Diaye, Price; Marshall, Costa, Enobakhare
1 minKICKOFF! Wolves get us underway at the Etihad Stadium.
3 minCity have an early appeal for a penalty after Gundogan goes down in the Wolves penalty area but the referee isn't interested. Postive start from the home team, however.
5 minWolves like to have as much possession as City but so far, it is one-way traffic in the home team's favour. Nuno would have prepared his side for that.
6 minSHOT! It's hasn't taken long for Aguero to get into the game. Wolves look slightly fearful of the Argentine and he is able to get a shot off from 20 yards, with Norris getting a touch to send the ball behind for a corner.
9 minWolves have enjoyed a brighter period over the past few minutes. Marshall saw a cross well defended at the front post, before Enobakhare and Costa almost combined before the Portuguese attacker was adjudged to be offside.
12 minSHOT! Back come City with Aguero starting to dominate. The forward managed to fire wide of the target after being found by a cross, before a minute later, drilling another effort over the crossbar. It's all City.
15 minCity manage to win a corner and the ball sent into the box eventually finds the feet of Zinchenko, who sees a shot blocked. The Ukrainian is looking very assured on his debut and is winning the battle with Vinagre.
17 minWolves are struggling to get on the ball. City are happy to probe and Wolves are having to be content with sitting deep. It's ok for now but there is a certain inevitably of City wearing you down.
19 minWolves have just had a chance to break after a period of time of watching City do what they want, but the ball was lost within seconds after N'Diaye tried an over-elaborate ball. Wolves cannot afford to be wasting the ball like that.
21 minThe first target for Wolves would have been reaching the end of the opening quarter without conceding a goal and they have done just that. They've naturally not had it their own way at the Etihad Stadium but it is job done so far. Guardiola won't be too concerned, though. City have had about 75% of possession.
23 minWolves have plenty of pace in attack but the problem they are having is that it is usually one versus three. There's no need to be overly ambitious right now, but at some stage, they need to commit more men forward.
25 minCHANCE! Almost 1-0 to City. Gundogan pokes the ball through to Sterling who controls the ball before flicking the ball with the outside of his foot. Norris is beaten but his effort from close range is always heading wide.
27 minThis is effectively a game of attack versus defence. Wolves are conceding possession every time that a City move breaks down. Gundogan and Silva are becoming increasingly influential.
29 minAdd Sterling to that list too. The winger is starting to overwhelm Vinagre and it takes an outstanding block from Hause to stop a cross from entering the six-yard box.
31 minBetter from Wolves who work a situation where it is Costa versus Mangala on the right. The cross is whipped into the middle but Danilo clears the ball for a throw-in.
33 minCHANCE! The pair lock horns again and Costa is able to win a free kick in a threatening position. Marshall's cross finds Bennett at the back post, and the defender's header forces Bravo in a solid save.
35 minIt's panic stations in the Wolves defence with Norris having to get a hand in the way to prevent Aguero heading in from close range. Wolves eventually clear but City are back on the offensive.
36 minSHOT! Aguero turns sharply on the edge of the area, but his well-struck shot is straight at Norris. A yard either side and it is probably a goal. Jesus is down after an incident with Bennett.
38 minJesus is back up. There was little in the coming together with Bennett. The defender simply held his ground when the Brazilian wanted to run in behind.
40 minWolves have got five minutes to hold out for a clean sheet at half time. It will be a long five minutes but an achievement in itself.
41 minAfter a Wolves break comes to nothing, City launch a counter and Batth upends Gundogan on the edge of the area. It's in Toure territory...
42 minSHOT! The Ivorian has scored plenty from this range but on this occasion, his attempt goes a few yards over Norris's bar.
43 minCHANCE! What a chance for Wolves! Enobakhare wins a 50-50 battle with Mangala and the youngster is through on goal. He only has Bravo to beat but his shot from 12 yards goes too close to the goalkeeper. He has to be scoring that.
45 minThere will be one minute of added-on time.
45+1 minHALF TIME: Manchester City 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
8.51pmThe half-time whistle goes at the Etihad and Wolves have made it to the break without conceding a goal. However, the Championship outfit should be ahead. That chance for Enobakhare will haunt him should Wolves lose this game. Still, as it stands, the West Midlands outfit are holding their own.
8.57pmThe game started with Aguero proving to be a constant threat with three shots coming inside the opening 15 minutes. However, Wolves stopper Norris only had to be equal to one of them. Aguero continued to be a frequent menace to the backline but Wolves will be satisfied with their efforts so far.
9.00pmHowever, Wolves will know that they should be in the changing rooms a goal to the good. Enobakhare has never been known for his finishing but after breaking clear of Mangala, he must find the net. Instead, Bravo remained big and kept the attacker's low effort out. It was a game-changing opportunity.
9.01pmThe two teams have made their way back out at the Etihad. There have been no changes for either side.
46 minKICKOFF! City get us back underway.
48 minIt's been a quiet start to the second half but Wolves will take that. Every minute that ticks by, it's a minute more that Wolves are in this game.
51 minThe City pressure has started but Wolves show their pace in attack. Enobakhare holds onto the ball down the left before playing in Costa but the winger tried to do too much by cutting further inside.
53 minThe ball is regularly being sprayed out to the right for Sterling, who feels as though he has the beating of Vinagre. Credit to the youngster, though, who gets a foot in to stop the winger in full flight.
55 minCity are beginning to build a head of steam now, just like the early to middle parts of the first half. Wolves are going to have to work hard to stay on level terms. City simply score in every match...
57 minCHANCE! Here they come. It should be 1-0 to City after the ball pops up for Silva to get a header on goal, but Norris makes a fine save to keep the ball out.
58 minSHOT! Up the other end, Price's eyes light up when getting a chance to shoot on goal from outside the box, but his volley goes skywards and doesn't come down before reaching the goal.
60 minAn hour gone. It you are saying that you thought this would be the score, you are a fibber. Wolves are putting in a heck of an effort to stay on level terms but it still feels only a matter of time before City edge in front.
62 minIt will be interesting to see how Guardiola deals with the likes of Jesus and Aguero. I'm sure that his intention was to substitute one of them at this stage.
65 minCHANCE! Wolves create their second clear-cut opportunity of the match. It's more difficult than Enobakhare's, but Costa should still do better. His shot from inside the penalty area - after sprinting into the box -is diverted over by Bravo.
67 minWolves are actually starting to have sustained spells of possession. It's impressive to watch, given how they have had to deal with attack after attack from City. Still a long way to go...
68 minCHANCE! Silva is giving all the time in the world to waltz into the Wolves penalty area but his resulting effort is too close to Norris, who makes another save.
70 minJust the 20 minutes to go at the Etihad. It's anyone's game but City are still the clear favourites. I'm surprised that Nuno has not decided to make a change. Some of his players must be running on empty.
72 minCHANCE! Danilo - of all people - is played in and has the chance to open his account for City. His shot is rising into the roof of Norris's net but the goalkeeper makes a stunning stop to keep Wolves on level terms.
73 minSUBSTITUTION! Wolves finally make an alteration, with Ronan being introduced for Marshall, who has run himself into the ground.
75 minYou have to credit Wolves. They are still showing ambition to push forward in search of a surprise winner, rather than take their chances in extra time. That said, do either team want another 30 minutes?
77 minJesus has been relatively quiet by his own high standards but he sends a dangerous cross into the box, which is only dealt with when Norris comes to claim.
79 minSUBSTITUTION! A second change for Wolves, with Cavaleiro replacing Costa.
82 minMore enterprising stuff from Wolves, with Ronan releasing the lively Enobakhare but the 19-year-old is dispossessed by a defender as he attempt to run into the box. Eight minutes to go. Can either side find a goal?
83 minSUBSTITUTION! Guardiola finally acts. De Bruyne is on for Jesus.
84 minBOOKINGS! Two yellows in the space of a few minutes for Wolves. Price and Bennett have both been cautioned.
87 minCHANCE! City should be ahead. Sterling is first to the rebound when the ball goes free inside the six-yard box but the winger somehow fires wide. Wolves are beginning to live very dangerously.
89 minWolves are waiting to find out how much added-on time they will face. It should be no more than four minutes.
90 minThere will be three minutes of added-on time...
90+1 minGundogan thinks he is about to score after advancing into the penalty area but what a block from a Wolves body. It stops an almost certain winner.
90+2 minCHANCE! Oh my word. Wolves nearly win it. It's Enobakhare again but after a stunning solo run after being played in behind the City defence, he can't convert the one-on-one effort past Bravo. It's an even bigger chance than the one in the first half.
90+3 minFULL TIME: Manchester City 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
9.53pmWe are heading into extra time. Both teams have had chances to win this but Wolves should be in the hat for the next round. Enobakhare should be the hero. He's not. Another 30 minutes coming up...
9.57pmSUBSTITUTIONS! Stones is on for Adarabioyo for City, and for Wolves, Bonatini replaces the exhausted Enobakhare.
91 minKICKOFF! We are back underway. Here we go again...
93 minBOOKING! City have had the better of the opening exchanges in extra time but Toure is booked for simulation. Th 34-year-old's legs are going to be tested here.
95 minIn all fairness to both teams, this game is still being played at a decent pace, even though many of these players have barely played 90 minutes recently, never mind 120. City are in the ascendancy.
95 minSUBSTITUTION! The final City change sees Sane come on for Silva.
96 minIgnore me - one team has an additional alteration in extra time. They will be needed.
99 minIt's as you were but I reiterate, City are looking the more likely to score. De Bruyne and Sane are fresh and the Wolves backline is not.
99 minSHOT! Don't forget Sterling either. The pacey wideman is played in down the side of the penalty area but his shot is comfortably dealt with by Norris.
100 minCHANCE! Now Hause makes a goal-saving block from Sterling! There are plenty of bodies in the way but it's the Englishman - making his first start of the season - who gets his body in the way. That all started through Sane.
102 minI'm not sure how much more Wolves can take of this. The pressure is building and building. Wolves are visibly tiring.
103 minSUBSTITUTION! Just what Wolves don't need - another fast player. Walker replaces Danilo.
104 minGuardiola has introduced De Bruyne, Stones, Sane and Walker. This is what it is going to take to get the better of Wolves this evening.
105 minHALF TIME: Manchester City 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
10.12pmWe will have another quick break before Wolves attempt to complete the unthinkable.
106 minKICKOFF! We are back underway.
108 minCHANCE! Sterling creates another opening for himself, this time further away from goal, but his well-struck strike goes just wide of the post.
110 minWe are still waiting on one more substitution from Wolves. It has surely got to come. It's all City.
111 minCHANCES! Two more chances for City. Norris saves from Toure, who was able to walk his way into the penalty area, before an opening was created for Sane, with the German seeing a volley deflected inches wide of the top corner.
113 minSeven to go at the Etihad. I'm exhausted. I have no idea how Wolves feel.
115 minI can say confidently enough that the only winner in extra time will be City. Even Bonatini is having to sit a bit deeper to help out Wolves. Stones is effectively a midfielder. They just had a corner, but it came to nothing.
116 minMaybe I have spoken too soon. Ronan is becoming a bigger threat for Wolves but on two occasions, his cross is poor. He should do better but still, Wolves are in the right areas, for now.
117 minDanger for Wolves with N'Diaye conceding a free kick close to the penalty area. They have plenty of options...
118 minSHOT! It's De Bruyne who takes it, but his effort goes over the bar.
120+1 minFULL TIME: Manchester City 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
10.30pmWe end goalless. It has been miracle-stuff from Wolves. We are heading to penalties...
10.34pmTo some degree, Wolves will feel as though they have already won, but the work isn't done yet. We are almost ready...
10.35pmManchester City 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolves take the lead through Bonatini. Sends Bravo the wrong way.
10.36pmManchester City 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers De Bruyne scores for City. Norris went the right way but it's too far into the corner.
10.37pmManchester City 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Toure drills his effort into the top corner. Norris had no chance.
10.38pmManchester City 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Bravo saves for City! It's not the best of penalties from N'Diaye but a good save, nevertheless. Advantage City.
10.39pmManchester City 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Now Coady misses for Wolves. Bravo makes another good save.
10.40pmManchester City 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Sane powers a shot in off the post. It's unstoppable. Virtually game over.
10.41pmManchester City 4-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Aguero wins it for City with the most ridiculous of dinked penalties into the top corner.
10.48pmIt's so harsh on Wolves. Keeping out City for 120 minutes is something which was considered unthinkable. However, Bravo is an expert at saving spot kicks and the Chilean showed his class at the end.
10.52pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for sticking with us for the duration for what has truly been an unforgettable night. We have found out that City aren't perfect and that Wolves are a sleeping giant who are a promotion away from being awoken.
If you fancy reading our match report from the Etihad, click here. Goodbye for now.
