Manchester City opened their Premier League campaign with a strong statement of intent as Erling Haaland found the net twice in a commanding 4-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday at Molineux.
The defending champions had stumbled last season, finishing third and enduring their first trophyless campaign under Pep Guardiola in eight years. However, the opening fixture of the new season suggested City are determined to reclaim their dominance. New arrivals Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki also scored, adding more optimism to Guardiola’s quest for silverware this term.
Guardiola surprised many with his goalkeeping choice, handing James Trafford his first senior appearance for the club after his return from Burnley. With Ederson absent from the squad and reportedly nearing a move to Galatasaray, City could soon target Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as a replacement.
For Wolves, hopes were slim even before kickoff, with the club reeling from the departure of star forward Matheus Cunha to Manchester United. They showed flashes of intent early on, notably when Marshall Munetsi headed the ball into the net only to be flagged offside. That near miss proved costly as City quickly seized control.
Two goals in three minutes turned the match decisively in City’s favor. Reijnders, showcasing the quality that justified his £46.5 million transfer from AC Milan, broke through midfield before slipping a clever pass to Rico Lewis, whose assist set up Haaland for the opener. Moments later, Oscar Bobb released Reijnders, who fired a precise left-footed strike to double the lead.
Trafford impressed not only with his shot-stopping but also with his composure in distribution. His measured pass initiated the build-up to City’s third goal, which ended with Reijnders cutting the ball back for Haaland’s second.
Haaland was denied a chance to complete his hat-trick when he was substituted 17 minutes from the end, making way for Cherki. The Frenchman wasted little time, scoring eight minutes later with a composed strike from outside the box.
The 4-0 scoreline reflected the control and sharpness reminiscent of City’s peak seasons, a performance that will surely unsettle their rivals. With Tottenham, Brighton, Arsenal, and Manchester United up next, sterner challenges await, but Guardiola’s men have already signaled they are ready to fight for the crown again.
What you should know
Manchester City began their new Premier League season with a convincing 4-0 win over Wolves, fueled by a Haaland brace and goals from new signings Reijnders and Cherki.
James Trafford impressed in goal, while uncertainty remains over Ederson’s future. Wolves struggled without Matheus Cunha, and City’s dominant display sets the tone for their title ambitions.
