Manchester City got their 2025/26 Premier League campaign off to the perfect start with a comfortable 4-0 win against Wolves at Molineux.
Tijjani Reijnders was City’s best player on the day, playing a key role in his side’s first three goals.
Having had a reduced pre-season, there were some questions around Pep Guardiola’s side coming into the game. However, these were answered emphatically on Saturday evening.
With that in mind, here are five things we learned following Manchester City’s opening Premier League game.
Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City on the ball during the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Tijjani Reijnders, James Trafford and Man City’s new signings hit the ground running
Following their summer moves to the Etihad, Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and James Trafford all started a Premier League game for the first time, while Rayan Cherki made his top-flight debut off the bench.
All impressed, with the aforementioned Reijnders bagging a goal and an assist, Ait-Nouri an attacking outlet and solid defensively, Cherki scoring off the bench, and Trafford assured and commanding in goal.
Indeed, Cherki was praised by Guardiola following the game, while Trafford earned plaudits from Manchester City supporters on social media.
It was an excellent start to life at the club for the quartet, one that will give them all confidence heading into a mouthwatering clash against Tottenham next weekend.
Man City experience no Club World Cup hangover
As well as a reduced pre-season, the manner of Manchester City’s exit to Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup in July was another reason why there were questions about Guardiola’s side coming into the new season.
These were answered emphatically at Molineux.
While Wolves had moments at 0-0, two goals in three minutes midway through the first half put City in control.
From then on, they never relinquished it, putting any doubts to bed about how they would perform following their early exit in the United States.
Oscar Bobb is like a new signing
Manchester City’s game against Wolves saw Oscar Bobb start a Premier League game for the first time since he broke his leg in training in August 2024.
The timing of the injury was particularly unfortunate, with Bobb predicted to feature heavily for Guardiola’s side throughout the 2024/25 season.
While robbed of that opportunity, the Norwegian has wasted no time stamping his authority on this campaign, providing the assist for compatriot Haaland’s first goal and being a livewire throughout Saturday evening’s game.
Hopefully, for Bobb’s and City’s sake, he can remain injury-free this term, giving him the opportunity to really stamp his authority on Guardiola’s side.
Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola look refreshed and ready for the season
In line with the City squad experiencing no hangover following the Club World Cup and reduced pre-season, both Guardiola and Haaland looked particularly refreshed on Saturday.
Despite a 22-goal return last year, Haaland looked off the pace at times, particularly towards the end of the season.
He was back to his usual best on Saturday, however, taking his overall goal tally against Wolves to ten.
It was a similar story for Guardiola, with the Spaniard up to his usual tricks in his post-match interview and press conference by claiming that he wasn’t impressed with his side’s second-half performance.
That can only be a good sign for City fans as they try to reclaim their Premier League crown.
Amid the Gianluigi Donnarumma links, Man City don’t need further signings
Having already spent more than £150million this summer, many would be forgiven for thinking there would be no more arrivals at the Etihad until January or next season.
However, after Ederson indicated his desire to leave, and with Gianluigi Donnarumma keen on a move to Manchester City, there could yet be one more arrival.
Yet such was the maturity in Trafford’s performance, the Italian might not necessarily be needed.
Indeed, it might even be considered unfair on Trafford were his club to bring Donnarumma in. While early days, the Englishman is showing that he has the ability to stake his claim as the club’s number one.
As such, Guardiola and co don’t need to bring any further bodies through the door; they have a squad to compete for the title already.