Manchester City launched their Premier League title defence in emphatic fashion, brushing aside Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–0 at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
After enduring the most difficult season of his managerial career last year, Pep Guardiola struck a cautious yet hopeful tone before the opener.
“I cannot assure you, but the signs are that we can be better,” the Catalan admitted. “Maybe we can be worse. You never know. But I think it will be better.”
That optimism was given substance by his summer recruits, none more so than Tijjani Reijnders.
The Dutch midfielder, signed from AC Milan, immediately imposed himself in City colours with a dazzling display that blended creativity, composure, and industry.
Guardiola, who has already described the 25-year-old as a “special player,” watched him dictate proceedings as if he had long been part of the City machine.
It was Reijnders who unlocked Wolves for the opener, gliding away from João Gomes before lofting a sublime pass into the path of Rico Lewis.
The youngster drove a low cross into the danger area, leaving Erling Haaland with the simplest of tap-ins.
Moments later, Reijnders turned finisher. After Oscar Bobb pinched possession in midfield, the Netherlands international surged forward, timing his run to perfection before sweeping home with his left foot. From turnover to finish, the counterattack took only eight seconds.
The new signing’s influence didn’t stop there. On the hour, he plucked James Trafford’s long ball out of the air with effortless control, exchanged slick passes with Bobb, then squared for Haaland to hammer in City’s third. Reijnders had a goal, an assist, and the adoration of the travelling fans by the time he left the pitch.
City’s fourth came from another debutant, Rayan Cherki. The French prodigy, only minutes into his Premier League bow, rifled a low effort into the far corner to seal the rout.
Reijnders’ impact was historic too—becoming just the second City player, after Sergio Agüero, to both score and assist on his league debut.
Yet Guardiola’s side still showed signs of fragility without Rodri’s stabilising presence, as Wolves were denied only by fine margins on a few offside calls.
Still, for City, it was the perfect start. A summer of change has brought fresh energy, and on this evidence, Guardiola’s measured optimism may soon harden into conviction.