Manchester City made a statement on the opening weekend of the Premier League as Erling Haaland struck twice in a 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 16 august. Summer signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki also marked their debuts with goals in a commanding display.
City, who endured a rare trophyless campaign last season after four consecutive league titles, looked far sharper under Pep Guardiola’s guidance. The result offered encouragement that the champions of old may be back in the hunt for silverware.
Wolves, considered relegation candidates after losing Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, made a bright start and even had the ball in the net through Marshall Munetsi, but his header was ruled offside. City soon seized control with two goals in three minutes.
Reijnders, signed from AC Milan for £46.5 million, was central to both. First, he threaded a clever pass to Rico Lewis, whose low cross was tapped in by Haaland at the back post on 34 minutes. Moments later, the Dutchman surged into the box and produced a precise left-footed finish to double the advantage.
The Norwegian striker then added his second shortly after the interval, finishing clinically after a slick move involving goalkeeper James Trafford, Reijnders and Oscar Bobb. It was the fourth consecutive season that Haaland has scored on the opening day of the Premier League.
Cherki, introduced as a substitute with 17 minutes remaining, quickly made his mark by driving a low shot into the bottom corner to complete the scoring.
Guardiola handed a debut to goalkeeper Trafford amid speculation that Ederson is close to joining Galatasaray. City have been linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as a possible replacement.
The comprehensive win sets City up for a testing run of fixtures against Tottenham, Brighton, Arsenal and Manchester United.