Manchester City started their Premier League campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over Wolves, with new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki making impressive debuts. Reijnders scored and assisted, while Cherki became the second-youngest City player to score on his debut. Erling Haaland added a brace. Guardiola praised the new players but remained cautious about the season ahead. Wolves’ manager Vitor Pereira felt the scoreline didn’t reflect the game’s closeness.
Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a resounding 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving manager Pep Guardiola visibly impressed with the immediate impact of his summer signings. The match, played at Molineux, showcased the seamless integration of new faces into City's already formidable squad, signaling a potentially dominant season ahead for the Sky Blues.
The headlines were grabbed by debut goals from Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, who both announced their arrival in English football with stellar performances. Erling Haaland, the prolific Norwegian striker, continued his scoring streak with a brace, further cementing his status as one of the world's most dangerous forwards. The blend of new talent and established stars proved too much for Wolves, who struggled to contain City's relentless attacking pressure.
Reijnders, in particular, stood out with his dynamic play and crucial contributions in both scoring and assisting, mirroring Sergio Aguero's debut heroics against Swansea City back in 2011. The midfielder's ability to seamlessly transition into City's midfield setup has given Guardiola a new dimension to his tactical options. Cherki, at just 21 years old, also made an instant impression, becoming the second-youngest player to score on his Premier League debut for Manchester City, a record only surpassed by Bradley Wright-Phillips in 2004. His late goal showcased his composure and technical ability, hinting at a bright future at the club.
Guardiola, speaking after the game, was effusive in his praise for the new signings, highlighting their unique qualities and adaptability. "All the new ones [were impressive]," Guardiola noted. "Tijjani was one of the best players in Serie A, he has an unbelievable rhythm. His pace, he can help with the holding midfield. He can make runs inside the pockets and the spaces that sometimes we allow defenders to create. At Milan he was exceptional and also for the national team. We knew he would be a top signing for the coming years for City." The manager's words underscore the high expectations surrounding Reijnders and the belief that he can become a key player for City in the coming years.
Turning his attention to Cherki, Guardiola added, "Cherki’s quality in the final third, in the small spaces, it's unique. His creativity is excellent, the rhythm that we need. There are many years and games where opponents will be tight. We need quality, special quality in the final third and pure talent and Rayan has it." Guardiola's assessment suggests that Cherki's flair and creativity will be invaluable in unlocking stubborn defenses, providing City with a cutting edge in tight matches. The manager, however, tempered expectations, emphasizing the need for continued hard work and consistency throughout the season. "Last season, we also started with hunger and energy. I don't have any complaints over how we're behaving in the training sessions. But we will see, it is just the first game, so there are many points still to play for," he cautioned.
For Wolves, the defeat marked another disappointing start to their Premier League campaign, extending their poor record on opening day matches. The team has now lost 58% of their opening day fixtures, a statistic that highlights their struggles to hit the ground running. Furthermore, their record against Manchester City remains dismal, with 16 losses in 23 Premier League encounters. Despite the heavy scoreline, Wolves manager Vitor Pereira insisted that the match was closer than the result suggested. "We faced a strong team. Technically strong, individual quality, they have better options," Pereira stated. "We did things well in my opinion, we were brave, we didn't go in just to defend. I don't believe in that kind of game, and we had some chances. If you didn't watch the game and just see the result, it's like they created a lot of chances and we created nothing, and it's not true. Every time we made a mistake they scored. We created maybe four chances to score and nothing." Pereira's words reflect a sense of frustration and the belief that his team was punished for their errors against a clinical Manchester City side.
The victory served as a statement of intent for Manchester City, showcasing their ambition to retain their Premier League title and compete for further honors. With new signings making instant impacts and established stars continuing to shine, Guardiola's team looks well-equipped for another successful season. The challenge for City will be to maintain their high standards throughout the campaign and navigate the challenges posed by their rivals, who will undoubtedly be looking to close the gap.