Manchester City took on Wolves away from home in their opening Premier League fixture for the 2025/26 campaign. Having watched last season's champions Liverpool win on Friday night, beating Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield, Pep Guardiola's men would have been desperate to also get off to a perfect start with three points and that's just what they did.
City opened the scoring through Erling Haaland in the 34th minute, who could not miss after being set up by a fine low cross from Rico Lewis, following good work by Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch midfielder then doubled the lead with a smart finish just three minutes later. More dominance followed in the second half as Reijnders then set up Haaland to make it 3-0 before Rayan Cherki came off the bench to grab a fine debut goal, as the game ended 4-0.
For as much as the attacking play caught the eye, though, the performance was built on a base of solidity. In that sense, John Stones was the true star of the show.
Stones Shines vs Wolves
Manchester City's John Stones celebrates with teammates vs Wolves
The Englishman finished the game with two cleanaces, one blocked shot and wasn't dribbled past once, while winning three out of three duels. He also completed 93 per cent of his passes (the best on the pitch) and succeeded in his only attempted dribble, in what was a typically tidy display on the ball.
Journalist Henry Winter could not help but single out Stones for praise, calling him 'elite' on social media: "A fit John Stones remains an elite-level centre-back. All the experience to read danger, the determination to throw himself into blocks & technique to glide with the ball into midfield. Relentless application of high standards. Stones still a gem at 31. Just has to stay fit."
As if that wasn't enough, he then praised the English defender once more, as he suggested Man City could be back to their usual dominant selves after a disappointing season in 2024/25. He wrote: "City are back? Certainly looking far more like their old dominant selves. Stones class. Bobb a threat. Good width and supply to Haaland. Talented recruits settling in well. Trafford assured so far. Reijnders’ instant impression, creating and scoring."
Fans Blown Away By 'Exceptional' Stones
Winter wasn't the only one to be impressed by Stones either. Indeed, fans online were blown away by the centre-back's performance. One wrote: "John Stones is still our best cb by a mile, no debate."
Another said: "If John Stones was fit his entire career he would have retired top 3 cb of his generation." Someone else remarked: "Stones is probably one of the best CBs I’ve ever seen."
Another wrote: "There's no other centre back in the world who can do what John Stones does."
Others chimed in with: "John Stones, I’m being sold dreams here." And: "John Stones is just an exceptional footballer. I’m in love with this team."
A final fan concluded: "If John Stones stays fit he’s automatically one of the best players in the league. Just a ridiculously naturally talented lad."
Stats via SofaScore