Manchester City stand tantalisingly close towards making an instant return to the Premier League following a crucial victory against fellow promotion hopefuls Wolves.

A Shaun Wright-Phillips double, taking his tally to eight for the season, was the difference between the sides at Molineux, and now for City and Wolves all eyes turn to Highfield Road.

If West Brom fail to beat Coventry then Kevin Keegan's side will be guaranteed a place in the promised land, and all the riches that go with such a prestigious status.

If the Baggies win, then the champagne will have to be put on ice for another week, although City will need just another point from their remaining three matches - due to their far superior goal difference - to confirm their Premiership place.

The defeat for Wolves means they have now taken just six points from the last five matches, and are making a real hash of ending their 18-year exile outside the top flight after spending all but four weeks of the last six months inside the top two.

It was a win City deserved because for all of Wolves' commitment, determination and drive, City keeper Carlo Nash was extended only once during the entire game as manager Dave Jones' side ultimately floundered before captain Paul Butler lost the plot.

With Wolves 2-0 down, Butler was sent off for two bookable offences in the second half, leading to him throwing the skipper's armband down in disgust as he walked past Jones and then lashing out at a microphone attached to a television camera on the touchline.

It was a sad end to a high-tempo game which had started in disgraceful fashion by a despicably-observed minute's silence in memory of the Queen Mother, who died on Saturday.

Sparked by a handful of visiting fans chanting 'Come on City', it resulted in boos and jeers in response from Wolves supporters, prior to obscenities being shouted as a very tiny minority ruined what should have been a poignant moment.

The match atmosphere which followed was white hot, unsurprising in light of what was at stake, and it needed a strong referee to keep any emotion in check and prevent passions from running too high.

Graham Barber, one of the elite members of the professional refereeing body, issued three yellow cards inside the opening 20 minutes, mainly due to the frantic pace of an all-action half.

Wright-Phillips was the first to be cautioned for scything down pre-deadline day signing Kevin Cooper, and was followed into the book by Jon Macken for a shove on Alex Rae after they eyeballed one another, and then Mohamed Camara for a shoulder-barge on Ali Benarbia.

In between times, Colin Cameron had a right-foot drive spin off the outstretched leg of Stuart Pearce and just clear the crossbar, before Michael Oakes pulled off the first of a number of superb saves in the 15th minute.

Benarbia's through ball for Darren Huckerby perfectly split Gunnar Halle and Butler, allowing the striker to attempt a lofted half-volley, only for Oakes to tip the ball away.

Oakes was then unlucky to concede the opener nine minutes from the break when a 20-yard Wright-Phillips shot initially deflected off Butler before hitting a divot and then going through the legs of the Wolves number one.

Wolves started brightly after the break, but it was City who were creating the chances and there appeared no justification for Barber disallowing a Steve Howey header in the 57th minute, with the centre back meeting a Stuart Pearce corner.

After Butler picked up the first of his bookings, Wolves' best chance of the game saw Benarbia clear Shaun Newton's drive off the line before Oakes then saved superbly in denying Benarbia and Huckerby.

But he was beaten again in the 80th minute when Wright-Phillips drove home a 20-yarder to spark wild celebrations among the City faithful, who had the last laugh when Butler was given his marching orders a few minutes later for a foul on Huckerby.

Teams:

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Cooper (Ndah 32), Lescott, Butler, Camara, Newton, Cameron, Rae, Halle, Blake (Miller 86), Sturridge.

Subs Not Used: Andrews, Laursen, Murray.

Sent Off: Butler (83).

Booked: Camara, Butler, Rae.

Man City: Nash, Pearce, Dunne, Howey, Wright-Phillips, Horlock, Benarbia, Jensen, Jihai, Macken, Huckerby.

Subs Not Used: Royce, Mettomo, Ritchie, Wiekens, Goater.

Booked: Wright-Phillips, Macken, Jihai, Huckerby.

Goals: Wright-Phillips 36, 80.

Att: 28,015

Ref: G Barber (Tring).