Manchester City made a serious statement of title intent as they thumped Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 at Molineux on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
A slow burner to begin with, the West Midlands matchup exploded into life after Marshall Munetsi had an opening header disallowed, and Vitor Pereira's hosts were asking questions of Pep Guardiola's backline.
However, the Old Gold's momentum was quickly extinguished thanks to two quickfire City goals, as Erling Haaland bagged his customary opening-day effort before Tijjani Reijnders - who played a key role in the Norwegian's strike - opened his Premier League account.
Netherlands and Norway continued to run Wolves ragged, as Reijnders then teed up Haaland to score his second of the afternoon just past the hour mark, before fellow new signing Rayan Cherki struck a fabulous fourth late on.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring on August 16, 2025
The stricken Phil Foden and Rodri could do nothing but watch on helplessly from the sidelines, but even without the Ballon d'Or winner and Stockport Iniesta, Man City looked every inch a Premier League title challenger.
The Citizens did not have it all their own way during the opening stages of the match, but as Wolves went a bit too gung-ho, gaps appeared for Guardiola's men to exploit, and exploit them they did.
Reijnders had already sent tongues wagging against Palermo in pre-season, and the delightful Dutchman made his £34m fee look like a bargain once again; here, there and everywhere, all three of City's goals went through him.
Add in a lethal Haaland and spritely Cherki - who is famed for his creativity but demonstrated his ruthless side today - and City have laid down quite the early marker in the Premier League title race.
The scoreline was perhaps slightly harsh on Wolves, who did have their moments in front of James Trafford's goal, but their visitors were cohesive and clinical in equal measure.
WOLVES VS. MAN CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Erling Haaland goal vs. Wolves (34th min, Wolves 0-1 Man City)
"Erling Haaland gets his obligatory opening day goal" ✅ pic.twitter.com/oVnRyFBFTJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 16, 2025
And the quest to regain the Golden Boot is off to a flyer!
Haaland finishes it off, but Reijnders should take most of the plaudits, charging through the centre of the pitch before a delicate chipped ball over the top of the defence for Rico Lewis to chase.
The right-back pulls the ball across the six-yard box to the far post, where Haaland cannot miss with the simplest of tap-ins.
Tijjani Reijnders goal vs. Wolves (37th min, Wolves 0-2 Man City)
"Tijjani Reijnders marks his Premier League debut WITH A GOAL!" ?️
What a finish from Manchester City's new signing! pic.twitter.com/6HRi3jrIEQ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 16, 2025
Oh Reijnders is having fun out there now.
If City's first goal was of the Dutchman's making, their second is of Wolves' making, as Emmanuel Agbadou plays a loose pass which is picked up on by Oscar Bobb.
The Norwegian leads a four-on-two counter, plays the right pass to Reijnders, and the former AC Milan midfielder finds the far corner with a terrific first-time left-footed strike.
Erling Haaland goal vs. Wolves (61st min, Wolves 0-3 Man City)
Tijjani Reijnders ? Erling Haaland pic.twitter.com/sdmRD5sMcv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 16, 2025
The Kevin De Bruyne-Haaland partnership may be no more, but a new sky blue relationship is blossoming!
Reijnders is heavily involved once again, playing a smart one-two with Bobb on the right-hand side before cutting back to Haaland in absolutely acres of space.
The Scandinavian sensation lets fly with a venomous first-time shot, which Jose Sa gets a hand to, but he is nevertheless beaten by the sheer power of Haaland's strike.
Rayan Cherki goal vs. Wolves (81st min, Wolves 0-4 Man City)
Rayan Cherki marks his Premier League debut with a goal ✨ pic.twitter.com/HvTRnfL2pR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 16, 2025
Cherki taking lessons from the Reijnders playbook of how to introduce yourself to the Premier League.
The former Lyon man backheels the ball into the path of Nico O'Reilly, who is tussling with Agbadou but manages to poke the ball back to his teammate with the aid of a deflection.
Cherki is about 20 yards from goal in a central position, and the Frenchman sends a sumptuous low strike into the far corner beyond Jose Sa's futile reach.
MAN OF THE MATCH - TIJJANI REIJNDERS
Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders pictured on August 16, 2025
Only two Man City players have ever registered a goal and assist on their Premier League debut - the man who scored the club's most famous strike of all time in 2012, and Guardiola's new flying Dutchman.
Joining Sergio Aguero in that exclusive Citizens club, summer signing Reijnders worked his Molineux magic to bag a brilliant goal of his own, deliver a fine assist for Haaland and also play a critical role in his side's first of the day.
WOLVES VS. MAN CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Wolves 41%-59% Man City
Shots: Wolves 9-15 Man City
Shots on target: Wolves 3-4 Man City
Corners: Wolves 4-5 Man City
Fouls: Wolves 13-7 Man City
BEST STATS
Erling Haaland has scored on the opening day for the forth successive season...
That's every season he's been at Manchester City ?? pic.twitter.com/BRtaLpnHss
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2025
Tijjani Reijnders is just the second player to both score and assist on their Premier League debut for Man City after Sergio Agüero vs. Swansea City in 2011.
What a player.⚽️?️ pic.twitter.com/81ROkQU9Na
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 16, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Man City's first Premier League home game of the new season ought to be an unmissable one, as the Citizens host Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday lunchtime.
Meanwhile, Wolves head to Bournemouth on August 23, three days before hosting fellow Premier League outfit West Ham United in the second round of the EFL Cup.
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