Goals from Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri saw Manchester City relegate Wolves and move to within three points of leaders Manchester United.
Both sides had early chances before City took control and Aguero slid them ahead from Gael Clichy's superb cross.
Joe Hart made an excellent save to deny Steven Fletcher as Wolves worked hard to level, but Nasri slotted in to earn his side a vital win in the title race.
If City beat United at home on 30 April they will be top with two games left.
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Their goal difference is six superior to that of their local rivals and all eyes will now be on that meeting at Etihad Stadium.
City spent much of the season in top spot but their defeat at Arsenal on 8 April left them eight points behind United with six games remaining.
Suddenly, though, they are very much back in contention and it promises to be a thrilling end to the campaign.
The same can not be said for Wolves, who drop into the Championship after three years in the top flight.
Terry Connor's side have lost a club-record nine successive home games and are without a win of any description since 4 February.
They needed little motivating for a match of this magnitude and produced a spirited display but City, buoyed by news of United's 4-4 draw against Everton earlier on Sunday, ground out a professional win.
Carlos Tevez fired just over the bar after only 17 seconds and at the other end Sebastien Bassong's shot was deflected narrowly wide.
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Aguero then drilled across the face of goal before David Davis forced Hart into a fine save with a powerful effort from 18 yards.
City seemed intent on moving the ball wide, letting full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Clichy stretch Wolves and create space for Aguero and Tevez.
Zabaleta and David Silva combined well on the right to slip Nasri through on goal, but the Frenchman dragged wide of the far post.
Aguero was again off-target on 20 minutes but there would be no mistake at the end of his side's next foray forward.
Clichy nutmegged Michael Kightly before curling a delightful low pass to Aguero, who kept his footing to stab a finish past Dorus de Vries.
Wolves deserve credit for their positive response and it took a superb diving save from Hart to repel Fletcher's header shortly after half-time.
Man City run-in 30 Apr Man Utd (h) 6 May Newcastle (a) 13 May QPR (h)
City had now lost their earlier rhythm, they were misplacing passes and Mancini introduced Nigel de Jong for Silva.
It may not have been an attacking move but City actually looked more composed with De Jong on the field, and they duly ended the contest.
Tevez took a quick free-kick, squared for Nasri and he benefited from Bassong pulling a hamstring to coolly slot past De Vries.
Wolves were furious with referee Lee Probert's decision to penalise Davis for his challenge on Tevez, but their protests were in vain.
City celebrated as Wolves commiserated. The full-time whistle sounded as torrential rain arrived, an apt conclusion to their Premier League stay.
Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6) Wolverhampton Wanderers 31 De Vries
05 Stearman
11 Ward
21 Bassong (Berra - 75' )
(Berra - 75' ) 32 Foley
04 Edwards (Doyle - 61' )
(Doyle - 61' ) 07 Kightly
08 Henry
17 Jarvis
26 Davis
10 Fletcher (Ebanks-Blake - 77' ) Substitutes 13 Ikeme
14 Johnson
16 Berra
23 Zubar
20 Milijas
09 Ebanks-Blake
29 Doyle Manchester City 25 Hart
04 Kompany
05 Zabaleta
06 Lescott
22 Clichy
18 Barry
19 Nasri (K Toure - 86' )
(K Toure - 86' ) 21 Silva (De Jong - 59' )
(De Jong - 59' ) 42 Y Toure Booked
16 Aguero
32 Tevez (Johnson - 75' ) Substitutes 30 Pantilimon
13 Kolarov
28 K Toure
07 Milner
11 Johnson
34 De Jong
10 Dzeko Ref: Probert Att: 24,576
Wolves lost 2-0 at the Molineux Ground to Manchester City
English football club  have been relegated from the  after a 2-0 defeat to . Goals from  and  confirmed the fate of Wolves, ending their three year spell in the top division of English football. Wolves are currently at the bottom of the table with 23 points.

Manager  said to Sky Sports "It’s tough - a raw day. We knew coming in we had to try and win it - it is raw for the players, staff, supporters and everyone connected to Wolves. It probably will be for a few days". He also commented about fans in attendance at the Molineux saying "They were superb today and for the majority of the season they’ve been great. Today is a raw, emotional day. I understand they’ll be hurting over the next weeks to come."

The result also left Manchester City three points behind top of the table Manchester United. Should they defeat Manchester United on April 30 they will top the table on goal difference only. At the other end of the table sit  and  with 30 and 31 points respectively. Just outside of the relegation zone is  and  both on 34 points. 


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