Manchester City began their Premier League title pursuit with an emphatic victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. City showcased their attacking prowess and summer signings in a dominant display.
Erling Haaland, as expected, led the line and scored twice. New signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki also found the net, marking memorable Premier League debuts. City's performance signaled their intent to reclaim the Premier League title after a disappointing previous season where they finished third.
The game started with Wolves paying tribute to Diogo Jota. City's new faces included Rayan Aït-Nouri in defense and James Trafford in goal. Trafford impressed on his debut, starting in place of Ederson. City quickly asserted their dominance, controlling possession and creating several early chances.
Haaland opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Reijnders doubled the lead just three minutes later with a well-taken goal. In the second half, Haaland scored his second in the 61st minute, assisted by Reijnders. Cherki completed the rout with a late goal, further highlighting City's attacking depth.
City's midfield was particularly impressive, with Reijnders and Cherki adding a new dimension to their play. Bernardo Silva, now the team's captain, played a crucial role in setting the tempo. The fitness of Rodri is considered key to City's success this season. City struggled without him last season, and Guardiola will be keen to keep him fit.
Wolves, who have sold several key players this summer, struggled to contain City's attack. Despite a spirited effort, they were unable to create many clear-cut chances. Strand Larsen had a couple of attempts, but Trafford proved to be a difficult barrier to breach.
Following the match, attention turns to Manchester City's next fixture, where they will host Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, City's performance against Wolves has set a marker for the rest of the league, demonstrating their ambition to return to the top. Pep Guardiola will be pleased with his team's performance, particularly the contributions of the new signings.
