Hope can be a burden. Manchester City have been fending it off for weeks, with their manager Roberto Mancini insistent that the Premier League title was bound for Old Trafford. The challenge here was not really presented by Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have now been relegated. Manchester City, making their way to a 2-0 win, had to deal with the unexpected reappearance of hope.

They are likely to take the title on goal difference should they win their three remaining matches, including the fixture with United at the Etihad Stadium next Monday. That prospect arose with the 4-4 draw endured by United against Everton at Old Trafford earlier in the afternoon. Even so, it would be unwise to make assumptions.

There is a pattern to City's season. The irresistible football was most conspicuous in the early part of the season. Its hallmark was the engrossing skill of David Silva. His aura had not endured and it seemed sensible of Mancini to identify him as the first City man to be substituted.

City have regained much of their vivacity when it appeared that all hope was lost. Indeed, that trait encourages a certain scepticism. Silva, for instance, epitomises the mission the manager must pursue when he seeks to get his side back to a higher standard, even if the peak that City are capable of touching is temporarily out of reach.

The stress levels climb in tandem with the excitement over the feat that could well be accomplished. This engrossing situation, however, does not stir feelings only at the clubs striving for the principal domestic honour. Excitement spills over into anyone who has even a walk-on part in the drama. The circumstances certainly took the minds of the Wolves players off the prospect of life in the Championship, at least until they conceded the opener to Sergio Agüero in the 27th minute.

The hosts, having lost at home in each of their past nine fixtures in all competitions, could not have had true depth to the apparent optimism at the start. It could have been argued that Wolves had nothing left to lose, but City would have begged to differ. They insisted on one more troublesome occasion. City were only at ease when Samir Nasri turned in a low ball by Carlos Tevez in the 75th minute.

That concentration was essential and there were early flurries of attacking from Wolves in the opening phase. Joe Hart was called upon to make saves. People might have begun to remember that there was enough spirit in the Wolves ranks for a goalless draw to have been achieved at Sunderland.

City, of course, are a club of a different order. That was unmistakable at Molineux, Mancini deploys greater means than the other clubs and were equipped to devastate Terry Connor's team. The manager, who has worked at the club for 13 years, sounded disconsolate when calling this "a very raw day". Wolves' vulnerability has been demonstrated at length, but the interest in the outcome of this Premier League campaign was stimulating for them.

Despite the contrast in resources, City were not always at ease before the interval. Wolves had been insistent on competing even though they are fully aware that their demotion could not be prevented. They were in a resilient mood and it looked as if the anticipated loss of top‑flight status was less inhibiting than the high hopes of City.

Regardless of the honours collected elsewhere, the City lineup was touched by stress. It could be argued that the freewheeling football associated with them recedes each time the stakes rise steeply. In that regard, the fame and feats of earlier times are of scant help. There was no sign of freewheeling play from them. Indeed, Mancini decided to remove the creative Silva and replace him with the defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong. It stirred thoughts of the apprehension that looked to have gripped City of late. Mancini, ever the pragmatist, tried to check Wolves and succeeded in doing so. That purpose might be regarded as unworthy of a club with City's means, but Mancini is still wary of the position he is in.

There is no lack of talent, but the manner in which his side acts as a unit over the remaining weeks is hard to guess. The return of Tevez may at least have come at a key moment. It is fair to ponder what might have happened if he had not given himself that extended leave of absence. As it is, he is now with a side who will be enriched if he can lead by example.

City looked on edge, making Mancini's stance look all the more astute whenever he announces that United will prevail. He cannot really be in earnest, but he is seeking to lighten the burden on City. His men are on edge. Agüero, for instance, was a little slow in reacting to a low ball from Tevez and made no contact with it on the six-yard line. Ultimately, however. Mancini's men made their mark on the game and the contest for the title.