Manchester City got off to a deserved start in the new Premier League season with an away win at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Two new signings got on the scoresheet.
ManCity coach Pep Guardiola fielded three summer signings in his starting line-up for the league opener, which included the absence of regular goalkeeper Ederson. Trafford started in place of the Brazilian, who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray. Reijnders and former Wolves pro Ait Nouri also started the game.
The Citizens set the tone early on against last season’s 16th-placed side, whose fans paid tribute to the late former professional Diogo Jota with a large choreographed display. Haaland, among others, missed a promising chance to take the lead from close range (20′). But Wolves did not hide away either, although they were unlucky when Munetsi was clearly offside when he scored with a header (26′).
Reijnders turns it on
Guardiola’s men were waiting for a spark – and it came from a new signing. Reijnders powered his way through the Wolves penalty area and lifted the ball perfectly into the path of Bobb, who then crossed to Haaland. The Norwegian had no trouble tapping the ball over the line (34′).
But that wasn’t all, because just three minutes later, Reijnders took center stage as the goalscorer himself. The new signing from AC Milan finished precisely with his left foot after a pass from double assist provider Bobb to make it 2-0 at halftime.
Strand Larsen misses narrowly – Haaland scores twice
The Wolves came out of the break determined to get back into the game as quickly as possible. Shortly after the restart, Strand Larsen came within inches of scoring (47′). Eleven minutes later, Trafford distinguished himself by tipping the Norwegian’s right-footed shot over the bar.
Strand Larsen’s compatriot Haaland did better, scoring the Citizens’ third goal at the other end. The 3-0 lead was preceded by a combination between Bobb and Reijnders, who made the difference at Molineux Stadium with Haaland in a triangle (61′).
Substitute Cherki strikes shortly after coming on
Understandably, the visitors did not invest too much in the closing stages, so that the Premier League debut of substitute Cherki (73) was one of the few highlights. At least until the substitute himself provided the next highlight, scoring with his right foot from just under 16 meters into the far corner (81).
It was the final nail in the coffin for a game that saw ManCity emerge as deserved winners. Manchester’s next game is on Saturday, when Tottenham visit the Etihad Stadium (1:30 p.m.). The Wolves are in action two and a half hours later in Bournemouth.