Posted by Siseko Tapile
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If anyone thought Manchester City might start the season slow after a summer of changes, the squad put those doubts to rest with a rampage at Molineux. Haaland, never shy in front of goal, showed his killer instinct by breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute. All it took was a quick one-two with Kevin De Bruyne to tee up a trademark finish, quieting the home crowd in seconds.
The action picked up again almost immediately. On his Premier League debut, Tijjani Reijnders didn’t waste time showing why Guardiola chased his signature. He ghosted into the box in the 37th minute and finished with an authority that suggested he’s been wearing City blue for years. Suddenly, the game looked like it could get ugly for Wolves.
Debuts can be nerve-wracking, but not for City’s new arrivals. With Reijnders off the mark, Rayan Cherki waited his turn and made a late but impactful entry, notching City's fourth goal in the 81st minute. That’s the kind of dream start every new signing craves—bagging a goal and instantly earning trust from teammates and fans alike.
Of course, Haaland was far from done. Early in the second half, he gobbled up a rebound in the 61st minute for his second, showing once again why the rest of the league fears him. Premier League defenders might as well start having nightmares now. The Norwegian’s movements and clinical edges are only going to get sharper with more service from his creative cast.
There were bright spots all over City’s lineup. Rico Lewis, still just 20, slipped into midfield with the confidence of a veteran. Oscar Bobb, another homegrown prodigy, pressured Wolves with clever runs and sharp passing. Stefan Ortega Moreno, deputizing between the posts, snuffed out any sniff of a comeback with solid stops. The clean sheet wasn’t just about defensive solidity—it sent a message that City isn’t letting standards slip this season.
Wolves, on the other hand, looked shell-shocked. Their defense lost track of runs, and the attack couldn’t crack a City back line that pressed high and passed with ruthless efficiency. Gary O'Neil’s men barely registered a threat, and when they did try their luck, Ortega Moreno stepped up.
The size of City’s win wasn’t just about the scoreline—it was about control. The team dictated tempo, recycled possession, and found gaps in Wolves’ defense with ease. If these opening signs are anything to go by, City’s rivals will need something special to knock them off their perch. Integrating fresh talent without skipping a beat, Guardiola’s machine looks set to keep rolling through the league.