Manchester City kicked off their Premier League campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–0 at Molineux. With debutants Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki dazzling, and Erling Haaland doing what he does best, Pep Guardiola’s side sent a clear message: City are back.
⚽ Match Recap
From the outset, City looked sharp. They dominated possession (59%) and passed with precision, completing 546 passes at a 90% accuracy rate. Wolves, meanwhile, struggled to build momentum, managing just three shots on target despite nine attempts.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Erling Haaland tapped in a cross from Rico Lewis. Just three minutes later, Tijjani Reijnders marked his Premier League debut with a stunning finish into the far corner. His impact didn’t stop there—he assisted Haaland’s second goal in the 60th minute with a clever cut-back.
As Wolves tired, substitute Rayan Cherki added the final blow, curling a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out in the 87th minute.
📊 Key Stats
| Category | Wolves | Man City |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 9 | 15 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 6 |
| Possession | 41% | 59% |
| Passes | 381 | 546 |
| Pass Accuracy | 82% | 90% |
| Fouls | 12 | 7 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 1 | 0 |
| Corners | 4 | 5 |
🌟 Star Performers
- Tijjani Reijnders: Scored, assisted, and orchestrated midfield play. A dream debut.
- Erling Haaland: Two goals, clinical as ever. Already chasing the Golden Boot.
- Oscar Bobb: Provided two pre-assists and showed maturity beyond his years.
- James Trafford: Stepped in for Ederson and kept a clean sheet with confidence.
For full player ratings, check out Express Sport’s breakdown.
🧠 Tactical Takeaways
Guardiola’s side looked refreshed and restructured. With Kevin De Bruyne absent, Reijnders filled the creative void seamlessly. City’s high defensive line caught Wolves offside multiple times, while their midfield triangle suffocated any counter-attacking threat.
Wolves, under Vítor Pereira, showed flashes of intent but lacked cohesion. Their best chance—a header from Marshall Munetsi—was ruled offside. Jørgen Strand Larsen and Rayan Aït-Nouri also missed key opportunities.
📈 League Standings (Week 1)
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 |
| 2 | Sunderland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | Tottenham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
🔮 What’s Next?
City will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next fixture. With Reijnders and Cherki already making headlines, Guardiola’s summer rebuild appears to be paying off. Wolves, meanwhile, must regroup quickly to avoid early-season pressure.
This was an interesting and strong start for city