Kevin De Bruyne’s crucial first-half strike helped Manchester City secure a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolves, bolstering their chances of finishing in the Premier League’s top five and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

City’s victory, their fifth in a row across all competitions, pushed them into third place in the league. The win also came at a critical moment as Pep Guardiola’s side continues to battle for a spot in Europe’s elite club competition.

The breakthrough came in the 35th minute with a well-executed team move. Ilkay Gundogan made a driving run from midfield and slipped a perfect pass to Jeremy Doku, who neatly evaded his marker before pulling the ball back to De Bruyne. The Belgian midfielder, finding space just inside the Wolves penalty area, calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Jose Sa.

Despite the win, the match was not without challenges. Wolves, on a six-match winning streak, tested City’s defense, hitting the post twice. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s close-range shot in the first half came off the woodwork, and Matheus Cunha’s powerful strike in the second half also rattled the post. City managed to hold on, with Josko Gvardiol clearing Ait-Nouri’s rebound off the line.

With three games remaining, City now sit four points ahead of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand. Fourth-placed Newcastle and fifth-placed Chelsea also have a match to catch up, keeping the competition for the top spots fierce.

Pep Guardiola, however, urged his players not to relax. “We cannot relax. Winning in this way is good because it makes us realize that we still need to work,” he said after the game.

The win was particularly significant for De Bruyne, who is set to leave City at the end of the season when his contract expires. Guardiola praised the 33-year-old’s ongoing contributions, saying, “Just thank you. His impact, like in the Crystal Palace game and today’s goal, has been invaluable.”

Reflecting on his departure, De Bruyne acknowledged the mixed emotions, stating, “A lot of teammates have said it’s sad I have to go, but that’s just how life goes. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I can still play here.”

With Champions League qualification still within reach, Guardiola’s men now face a tense final stretch of the season, with the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace also on the horizon. However, Guardiola emphasized that even if City secure these achievements, the disappointment of losing the Premier League title to Liverpool will remain.

As the season nears its end, City’s destiny is still in their hands, and the final three matches will be crucial in their bid to secure a spot in Europe’s top competition.