Manchester City put a difficult week behind them on Saturday afternoon, securing a vital 2-0 victory against bottom-of-the-table Wolves at the Etihad Stadium.
After stinging defeats to Manchester United and Bodo/Glimt, Pep Guardiola opted for a refreshed lineup, benching stars Erling Haaland and Phil Foden in favor of a more fluid attacking structure.
The tactical shift paid immediate dividends. Returning forward Omar Marmoush opened the scoring early, followed by a clinical strike from January arrival Antoine Semenyo before the break.
While the second half lacked the intensity of the first, the result successfully trimmed Arsenal’s lead at the summit to four points, providing the perfect momentum boost ahead of Wednesday’s pivotal Champions League encounter with Galatasaray.
Player Ratings & Performances
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7
The Italian enjoyed a much-needed quiet shift after a grueling week. Though he looked slightly hesitant during a chaotic second-half corner that struck his arm, his distribution was reliable, and he maintained a clean sheet with minimal fuss.
Matheus Nunes – 8
Facing his former club, Nunes ignored the jeers from the away end to deliver an outstanding performance at right-back. He looked refreshed after his recent bout with the flu, capping a strong defensive display with a pinpoint cross for the opening goal.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 7.5
The young defender provided a calm, stable presence in the heart of the backline. He focused on efficient recycling of the ball but showed his vision with a brilliant long-range pass that nearly resulted in an assist for Marmoush.
Marc Guehi – 8 (Man of the Match)
An exemplary debut for the new signing. Guehi looked like he had played in Guardiola’s system for years, reading the game effortlessly and showcasing the progressive passing that City missed in their previous outing.
Nico O’Reilly – 8
Operating on the left, O’Reilly produced one of his most complete performances. He balanced his offensive duties well, providing necessary width when the forwards drifted inside while remaining diligent in his recovery runs to halt Wolves’ counter-attacks.
Rodri – 7.5
While he still looks to be finding his peak match sharpness after recent struggles, Rodri was the heartbeat of City’s buildup play. His ability to dictate the tempo was vital, though his absence through suspension for the upcoming Galatasaray game will be a concern.
Bernardo Silva – 8
The engine of the team, Silva was everywhere, linking the defense to the attack with his trademark industry. He picked up a well-deserved assist for Semenyo’s goal and remained the team’s creative pivot throughout.
Tijjani Reijnders – 7
A high-energy performance from the midfielder, who constantly harassed the Wolves backline. While he didn’t manage a goal or assist during his hour on the pitch, his movement created the space necessary for the front three to flourish.
Antoine Semenyo – 8
The January signing continues to prove his worth. Aside from his clinical first-half finish—his first league goal for the club—he was a constant menace on the wing and was unlucky not to have a second when his powerful drive rattled the crossbar.
Rayan Cherki – 7
Playing in a “false nine” role, Cherki was central to City’s fluid interplay. His vision was evident as he dropped deep to pick apart the Wolves’ midfield, though he will be disappointed not to have converted one of his own scoring opportunities.
Omar Marmoush – 7.5
Marking his return to the starting XI with a bang, Marmoush showed great predatory instincts to volley home the opener. His movement off the ball was excellent, and he was inches away from a second when his effort struck the upright.
Substitutes
Phil Foden (6.5): Brought a spark of creativity and set up a late chance for Semenyo.
Jeremy Doku (6.5): Showed flashes of pace and managed to navigate some physical challenges from the Wolves defense.
Erling Haaland (6): Had a quiet cameo as the game had already slowed down by the time of his introduction.