Trafford was handed a start by Pep Guardiola for City's opening Premier League game of the season at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
And the Greysouthen star kept a clean sheet as City claimed an emphatic 4-0 victory.
Trafford, 22, went straight into the City side at Molineux after recently completing his return to the club from Burnley.
Two-goal Erling Haaland embraces James Trafford after the keeper's clean sheet on debut for Man CityTwo-goal Erling Haaland embraces James Trafford after the keeper's clean sheet on debut for Man City (Image: PA)
It was another milestone in the highly promising career of the former Carlisle United academy player, who was in the City XI at a time regular No1 Ederson - who has been the subject of transfer speculation - was sidelined with illness according to Guardiola.
Trafford produced a composed display in goal throughout as City won thanks to goals from Erling Haaland (two), Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.
Composed debut from James Trafford. Early days but not outlandish to suggest Trafford will be England No 1 *one day*. He’s 22. Jordan Pickford is 31 and undroppable for now, has never let England down. No 2 Dean Henderson is 28 & in top form. #ENG goalkeeping looks in safe hands.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 16, 2025
The Cumbrian was beaten in the 27th minute by Marshall Munetsi's header but the Wolves man saw the effort ruled out for offside.
Trafford soon afterwards made a good save to deny Munetsi but the Wolves player was again offside.
After the break the Cumbrian made a smart save to deny Strand Larsen as the keeper completed a clean sheet on his first outing for the club.
Trafford was also involved in City's third goal, scored by Haaland, when his ball into midfield allowed Reijnders and Oscar Bobb to combine to set up Haaland.