Tijjani Reijnders has equalled a record set by Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero after starring on his Premier League debut in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The 27-year-old signed for the Citizens from AC Milan in June for a reported £46m after being named the Serie A Midfielder of the Season in the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 10 goals.
Reijnders grabbed the headlines in pre-season when he netted a brace in a **3-0 friendly win**for Man City over sister club Palermo last weekend, and he made his presence felt once again against Wolves with a man-of-the-match performance.
Man City scored two goals in three minutes shortly after the half-hour mark, with Erling Haaland’s close-range opener followed by Reijnders finishing off a swift counter-attack with a well-struck left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Reijnders then turned provider for Haaland midway through the second half with a smart cut-back towards the Norwegian to fire home his second of the match, and Man City’s perfect evening was capped off by substitute Rayan Cherki - another summer signing - slotting home a debut goal nine minutes from time to seal three deserved points for the Citizens.
Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders celebrates scoring on August 16, 2025
Reijnders reacts to “great start” in Premier League after matching Aguero feat
Man City’s new No.4 has now become just the second Man City player after club icon Aguero back in 2011 to both score and assist on his Premier League debut.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the game, Reijnders said: "It's a great start, very happy with an assist and a goal and a very good win. It is a great start and we have to keep going now.
"I saw the intensity and it is pretty hard but it is nice to play in the Premier League and to score on my debut is always nice.
"They [Wolves] put good pressure on us and I think that gave us more air to breathe and to play our game.
"Erling Haaland is always a target that you can reach and he is always ready to score a goal. When he got the ball I knew he would score."
"Even if you start on the bench, you can bring something new to the team. The first game of the season is always difficult so good to get off to a good start.
"I'm always trying to find space in the box and work to give assists. My type of game is to be a box-to-box player and help the team with goals and assists."
Manchester City's Pep Guardiola on May 10, 2025
Guardiola: ‘Reijnders is a top signing for the coming years for City’
Guardiola heaped praise on Reijnders after the match, adding: "Really good. Lovely guy and impact from day one. His pace, he can help with the holding midfield. He can make runs inside the pockets and the spaces that sometimes we allow defenders to create.
“At Milan he was exceptional and the national team. We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City."
Sharing his thoughts on working under Guardiola, Reijnders told Sky Sports: "Learning a lot, of course! You get a new view on how to play football. For me, it's quickly adapt and try to do my best every time, [with] the intensity in training, the team we have, definitely you'll get better!"
Man City’s four-goal win has put them to the top of the Premier League table - albeit after only one match - and has sent out a statement to their title rivals including reigning champions Liverpool, who kick-started the campaign on Friday with a 4-2 home win over Bournemouth.
Another of Man City’s potential rivals for the title this season are Arsenal, who travel to Old Trafford to fae Manchester United on Sunday, while Chelsea welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on the same day.
Guardiola and co will now turn their attention to their next Premier League game and their first of the new season at the Etihad Stadium where they will take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime.
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