Manchester City began their Premier League campaign with a dominant 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in a game that mixed emotion with clinical football. Before kickoff, the home supporters unveiled a powerful tifo and sang *Fields of Gold* in tribute to former Wolves star Diogo Jota, creating a poignant atmosphere as his family watched from the stands. The match itself, however, quickly turned into a demonstration of City’s ruthless efficiency as Pep Guardiola’s men seized control.
Wolves started brightly, even having the ball in the net early on before it was ruled out, but once City settled, there was no turning back. Erling Haaland, sharp as ever, opened the scoring and later added his second, underlining his status as the most feared striker in the league. His movement caused constant problems for the Wolves defense, and José Sá was forced into several desperate saves to prevent an even greater scoreline. Haaland’s brace was a reminder that even without controlling possession all the time, City’s finishing power is unmatched.
The real spotlight, though, belonged to debutant Tijjani Reijnders, who marked his first Premier League appearance with a goal and an assist. Operating in midfield, the Dutchman linked play seamlessly and provided the kind of energy that complemented Kevin De Bruyne’s creativity. His ability to dictate tempo so quickly after joining the squad earned him the Man of the Match award and immediate praise from Guardiola, who described his performance as “outstanding in every way.” For a side already brimming with talent, Reijnders looked like a player capable of raising the bar even higher.
City’s dominance was capped late in the match when another new signing, Rayan Cherki, came off the bench to score his first goal for the club. His strike put an exclamation point on a performance that showcased not only City’s current strength but also the depth they’ve added over the summer. Wolves had moments where they tried to counter through Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha, but their efforts rarely troubled Ederson, who enjoyed a relatively quiet evening between the posts. The gulf in class became more evident as the match wore on, with Manchester City maintaining full control.
By the final whistle, the champions had secured a resounding 4-0 win, setting an early marker for the season ahead. Wolves will take pride in their pre-match tribute to Jota and moments of resistance, but the night belonged entirely to Guardiola’s side. Haaland’s finishing, Reijnders’ dream debut, and Cherki’s late strike made it a statement performance. As City left Molineux, the message was clear: they remain the team to beat in the Premier League, and with new weapons in their arsenal, their title defense has started in emphatic fashion.
Watch and Download Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City full match replay and highlights, At Saturday , August 15, 2025. The match played at Molineux Stadium, in Premier League, England.
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