Manchester City began their Premier League title defense in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 thrashing of Wolves at Molineux. Erling Haaland bagged a brace, while debutants Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki both found the net to showcase City’s squad depth and hunger for more silverware.
Key Moments
- Wolves’ Hope Short-Lived: The hosts looked solid for the opening 20 minutes and even had a goal ruled out for offside through Marshall Munetsi. But City soon flexed their muscles and seized control.
- City Strike Twice Before Break: In the 34th minute, Reijnders—impressive on debut—teed up Rico Lewis to assist Haaland for a tap-in. Just three minutes later, Reijnders scored himself, finishing coolly from Oscar Bobb’s pass after Wolves lost possession at the back.
- Clinical Second Half: Wolves had a brief spell of promise after the interval, with Jørgen Strand Larsen going close. However, City extinguished any hope when Reijnders set up Haaland for his second goal on 61 minutes—a slick finish after clever buildup play. The rout was complete in the 81st minute, when Rayan Cherki marked his first appearance with a precise low strike from the edge of the box.
Stats at a Glance
| Wolves | Man City | |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 9 | 15 |
| On Target | 3 | 4 |
| Possession | 41% | 59% |
| Pass Accuracy | 82% | 90% |
| xG | ~0.56 | ~2.13 |
| Goals | 0 | 4 |
Player of the Match
Tijjani Reijnders: The Dutchman contributed a goal and two assists on his Premier League debut, immediately endearing himself to City fans and providing much-needed midfield dynamism reminiscent of Kevin De Bruyne.
Takeaways
- Manchester City: Ruthless, energetic, and efficient, the champions look as formidable as ever. Haaland continues to break records, and the quick integration of new signings Reijnders and Cherki is a promising sign for Pep Guardiola as the season begins.
- Wolves: A tough start, but despite the heavy defeat, there were encouraging moments early on. Wolves’ task now is to regroup and learn from a masterclass in clinical finishing.
City fans will be delighted with this statement win—one that sets a high standard for the title race ahead.