Manchester City cruised to a big 4-0 win over Wolves on the opening weekend of the Premier League season to jump straight to the top of the table in an announcement that their previous troubles are behind them.
Pep Guardiola’s side stuck doggedly to their task against a stubborn Wolves side at Molineux and held a high defensive line which proved useful in catching Marshall Munetsi offside when he thought he’d scored the opening goal.
Instead that honour went to Erling Haaland who arrived at the back post to tap home a squared pass before adding another in the second half. In between Haaland’s brace, Tijjani Reijnders, on his Premier League debut, proved a more than suitable replacement for Kevin de Bruyne with a crisp finish of his own to make sure City were comfortable in the game.
Rayan Cherki came off the bench with 20 minutes to go and become the second City debutant to find the back of the net and inflict defeat on a Wolves side who looked far from their best after the first goal went in.
Reliv all the action from Molineux as Wolves take on Manchester City:
Wolves vs Man City live
- REPORT: Pep Guardiola’s summer rebuild has restored Manchester City’s old swagger
- FT Wolves heavily beaten by Man City in the Premier League
- 81' GOAL! Cherki comes off bench to add fourth (WOL 0-4 MCI)
- 61’ GOAL! Haaland’s second puts City out of sight (WOL 0-3 MCI)
- 37' GOAL! Reijnders adds a second with beautiful finish (WOL 0-2 MCI)
- 34' GOAL! Haaland's tap in gives City the lead (WOL 0-0 MCI)
- 26' DISALLOWED! Munetsi scores but it clearly offside (WOL 0-0 MCI)
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 0 - 4 Manchester City FC
Pep Guardiola’s summer rebuild has restored Manchester City’s old swagger
20:00 , Mike JonesThe winds of change are blowing through Manchester City but some things remain the same.
Different faces and a different time - but that old familiar swagger returned at Molineux. Three thousand travelling supporters, basking in the sunshine along the foot of the Steve Bull Stand, sang: “City are back.”
Had they ever really been away?
Pep Guardiola’s summer rebuild has restored Manchester City’s old swagger
Wolves need additions
19:40 , Mike JonesIt was only their first match without Matheus Cunha, Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri but Wolves look like a team that need to strengthen in the next couple of weeks.
They need a goalscorer which is easier said than found. If they can’t find one it could be a long season for them.
FT Wolves 0-4 Man City
19:38 , Mike JonesManchester City cruised to a big 4-0 win over Wolves on the opening weekend of the Premier League season to jump straight to the top of the table in an announcement that their previous troubles are behind them.
Pep Guardiola’s side stuck doggedly to their task against a stubborn Wolves side at Molineux and held a high defensive line which proved useful in catching Marshall Munetsi offside when he thought he’d scored the opening goal.
Instead that honour went to Erling Haaland who arrived at the back post to tap home a squared pass before adding another in the second half. In between Haaland’s brace, Tijjani Reijnders, on his Premier League debut, proved a more than suitable replacement for Kevin de Bruyne with a crisp finish of his own to make sure City were comfortable in the game.
Rayan Cherki came off the bench with 20 minutes to go and become the second City debutant to find the back of the net and inflict defeat on a Wolves side who looked far from their best after the first goal went in.
Full-time! Wolves 0-4 Man City
19:31 , Mike Jones90+7 mins: Gonzalez is on his feet and gives a nod that he’s okay. He’s walking gingerly though stretching out his arm.
The match comes to a tame end but in truth it was over a long time ago.
Manchester City are back and they’re back with a bang.
Wolves 0-4 Man City
19:26 , Mike Jones90+3 mins: Ouch, Nico Gonzalez lands awkwardly on his elbow after a tussles with Munetsi and the midfielder calls for the medical staff.
He’s grimacing in pain, his arm twisted at the elbow as he landed, this could take the shine off Man City’s day.
Wolves 0-4 Man City
19:22 , Mike Jones90 mins: Tijjani Reijnders got a goal and an assist and was heavily involved in the first goal as well.
All three goal contributions leading to him being named player of the match and rightly so.
It’s been a fantastic debut for the creative midfielder.
Seven minutes of added time to play yet.
Wolves 0-4 Man City
19:20 , Mike Jones87 mins: Wolves are searching for a consolation goal now but they know the jig is up.
The two first half goals effectively put their challenge in the bin after they were caught out making errors.
A developing and promising performance fell apart due to City’s ruthlessness and clinical finishing.
GOAL! Wolves 0-4 Man City (Rayan Cherki, 81')
19:14 , Mike JonesWow!
Manchester City’s finishing has been incredible today and Rayan Cherki is the latest to prove that.
City were coasting through the half but an injection of pace and some fine footwork on the edge of the box sees Cherki work the ball into space and he drills a low effort across the box and past Jose Sa.
City have four and it seems the issues of last season are long behind them.
Wolves 0-3 Man City
19:10 , Mike Jones77 mins: The substitutions have made the game a little disjointed as the players try to get up to the pace of proceedings.
Wolves are seeing more of the ball but they can’t get close to the final third.
Wolves 0-3 Man City
19:05 , Mike Jones72 mins: Into the final 20 minutes now and Wolves will be hoping to keep City quiet for the remainder.
It’ll help that Erling Haaland has been replaced with Rayan Cherki.
Cherki comes with plenty of excitement so Guardiola has a bit of time to see how he’ll fare in the top flight.
Wolves 0-3 Man City
19:01 , Mike Jones69 mins: Wolves are still giving this a go but the match has gotten away from them.
They were fantastic for the first half an hour but the slight errors in the first half deflated their confidence.
The third goal was pur class from City. Reijnders assist, Haaland goal. It’s a combo we could see a lot off this year.
Wolves 0-3 Man City
18:59 , Mike Jones66 mins: Omar Marmoush, Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes are all introduced in a triple change for Man City but Bernardo Silva, Rico Lewis and Jeremy Doku all replaced.
GOAL! Wolves 0-3 Man City (Erling Haaland, 61')
18:54 , Mike JonesAnother one!
A swift move, started from Trafford, sees Reijnders and Bobb bomb forward on the right wing.
Reijnders pulls the ball inside to Haaland who drills his effort low into the far bottom corner!
Two for City’s main striker and an assist for Reijnders who has had a superb outing today.
Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:51 , Mike Jones60 mins: Oh hello!
A cheeky free kick sees the ball dinked into the box where Strand Larsen gets to the ball and then turns it towards goal.
James Trafford watches it the whole way then pushes the ball over the crossbar.
Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:50 , Mike Jones56 mins: Ki-Jana Hoever receives the ball and goes on a forward run into the right side of the box.
He’s forced wide by City’s defenders but manages to whips a cross through the six-yard area.
But, none of his teammates are in the right positions to get on the end of the pass and he lifts his arms in disappointment.
Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:45 , Mike Jones53 mins: Strand Larsen nods an aerial ball on toward Munetsi but Dias is there to intercept.
He passes the ball in midfield and City transition quickly before a cross into the box is won by the hosts.
Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:44 , Mike Jones50 mins: City take control of possession and play conservatively at the start of this half.
All the pressure is gone and they just need to dictate play, maintain possession and close out the match.
Pep Guardiola will not want to give Wolves an inkling that there could be a way back into this one.
Second half! Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:39 , Mike JonesWolves kick off the second half knowing they need to take their chances if there’s any way back into the game.
HT Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:32 , Mike JonesManchester City had nine shots in the first half in comparison to Wolves’ two.
Both of City’s shots on target resulted in goals and now they’ve sitting comfortably in the game.
Getting off to a strong start will be key for City’s title challenge and so far it’s looking good.
Why did Ederson and Phil Foden miss Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Wolves?
18:28 , Mike JonesPep Guardiola explained the reasons behind omitting Ederson and Phil Foden from Manchester City’s matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.
During the week Guardiola had confirmed that Ederson is the No.1 goalkeeper at the club despite City activating a buy-back clause to bring James Trafford back to the club following an impressive spell with Burnley.
Trafford was handed the starting berth between the posts with his Brazilian counterpart left behind in Manchester amid ongoing transfer speculation.
Why did Ederson and Foden miss Man City’s Premier League clash with Wolves?
HT Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:24 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:20 , Mike Jones45+5 mins: The first half is brought to an end by the referee with Manchester City taking a comfortable lead into the break.
Those two goals, inside three minutes, have taken the wind out of Wolves’ sails.
Vitor Pereira needs to regroup his team and keep them disciplined in the second 45 minutes.
Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:15 , Mike Jones45 mins: Five minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.
Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:13 , Mike Jones43 mins: Bernardo Silva swings a corner into the box where it drops to Doku.
He wins another set piece and Wolves have more defending to do at the end of this half.
The ball is whipped in and finds Dias but Toti manages to clear the second ball.
Wolves 0-2 Man City
18:11 , Mike Jones40 mins: Another head collision brings another stoppage in play.
Man City have control of this match now after some slack concentration from Wolves.
It’s a long way back for the hosts now.
GOAL! Wolves 0-2 Man City (Tijjani Reijnders, 37')
18:08 , Mike JonesTwo in three minutes!
Wolves give the ball away to a pressing Oscar Bobb who drives forward and rolls the ball into the box for Tijjani Reijnders.
He shoots first time and slots it across goal into the far bottom corner!
GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Man City (Erling Haaland, 34')
18:05 , Mike JonesHaaland!
There’s the opener and it is made from Tijjani Reijnders. He dribbles through midfield and shakes off two tackles before dinking the ball into the box.
Rico Lewis collects it and squares a pass across to Haaland who has a tap in.
Man City lead!
Wolves 0-0 Man City
18:02 , Mike Jones32 mins: The home supporters are buoyant now and the atmosphere is booming.
They may believe they can get something out of this match given how their team has performed in this half.
Man City need to find a way to silence them.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
18:01 , Mike Jones29 mins: Munetsi is clearly enjoying himself on Wolves’ right wing and looks confident and hungry which City will need to be aware of.
Ait-Nouri comes forward and floats in a deep cross. Jose Sa plucks the ball out of the air and gets play going again without issue.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:58 , Mike Jones26 mins: Disallowed!
Wolves strike first but their moment of joy is cut short. A cross comes in from the right after Strand Larsen’s shot is blocked by Stones.
Munetsi drifts into space and then meets the pass before guiding it wide of James Trafford and into the back of the net.
The offside flag goes up immediately and it is a clear decision.
Still all square.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:56 , Mike Jones25 mins: There a bit more joy for Wolves as a long ball forward comes to Munetsi.
He controls it but Rayan Ait-Nouri is on hand to poke the ball out for a throw in and stop the attack.
Then John Stones is called into action as the ball is whipped into Jorgen Strand Larsen whose first time shot is drilled at goal and blocked by the defender.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:54 , Mike Jones23 mins: Wolves have done well to remain disciplined. It isn’t easy to repeatedly defend against City and then turn into attack.
Marshall Munetsi makes a run down the right wing and is fed the ball. He whips it into the penalty area and finds Joao Gomes but a heavy touch takes the ball into the hands of James Trafford.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:50 , Mike Jones20 mins: With 18 minutes on the clock, the supporters rise in the stands and applaud again.
Diogo Jota wore the No. 18 during his playing days at Wolves and it is another sign of respect from his former fanbase.
On the pitch Haaland has another difficult chance but this header goes over the top too.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:48 , Mike Jones18 mins: There’s some nice link up play between Bobb and Rico Lewis.
Lewis drives into the box and looks to square the ball into the six-yard area only for Emmanuel Agbadou to turn the ball out for a corner.
The corner finds Haaland who nods an effort high and wide.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:46 , Mike Jones15 mins: Quarter of an hour gone and no shots from either team yet.
The longer they can keep Man City quiet the happier Wolves will feel.
Andre is given a concussion test after being clashing heads with Gonzalez during the City midfielder’s effort at goal.
Andre is fine to play on.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:43 , Mike Jones12 mins: Calm composure are the words to describe Man City’s approach so far.
There’s been a bit of joy getting the ball out wide to Bobb and Doku but Erling Haaland has been quiet.
A long ranged header from Nico Gonzalez sends the ball into the hands of Jose Sa who is left with the simplest of stops.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:38 , Mike Jones9 mins: John Stones hooks a cross into the far side of the box and looks for Doku.
He sticks out a leg but can’t bring the ball under control and it goes out for a corner.
As expected City have seen more possession but Wolves have shown a bit of bite on the counter attack.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:36 , Mike Jones6 mins: Wolves’ 3-4-3 formation is currently a back five as they attempt to halt the pressure of Man City.
Wolves recover the ball and sprint down the left wing where a cross from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde almost fins Jorgen Strand Larsen only for Ruben Dias to poke the ball away from him.
Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:33 , Mike Jones3 mins: City attack down the left wing through Jeremy Doku who decides to play it inside.
City then retreat as Wolves keep push forward with from deep in their own half.
A similar attack sees Doku swing a cross into the box from the byline where David Moller Wolfe nods the ball out for an early corner.
Kick off! Wolves 0-0 Man City
17:30 , Mike JonesThe minute of silence is actually a minute of applause for Diogo Jota with the stadium clapping in unison as a show of their respect for the former Wolves striker.
Manchester City then kick off the match.
Wolves pay tribute to Diogo Jota
17:24 , Mike JonesBefore he made the move to Liverpool, Diogo Jota was a star performer at Wolves.
The fans and club have paid their respects to him with a large Tifo banner in the crowd and adorning their matchday programmes with photos of him and his brother Andre Silva.
As with all Premier League games this weekend a minute of silence precedes kick off.
Ait-Nouri handed debut against his old club
17:20 , Mike JonesNew Man City signing Rayan Aït-Nouri made 135 league appearances for Wolves between 2020 and 2025.
He will be the fourth player to make his Premier League debut for Man City against a side he previously played for in the competition, after Danny Granville (v Leeds in 2000), Tommy Wright (v Newcastle in 2000) and Craig Bellamy (v Newcastle in 2009).
Pep Guardiola's pre-match thoughts
17:16 , Mike JonesThe Manchester City boss said: “We will see [if new players settle].
“Always we anticipate what is going to happen but I don’t know. Since the Club World Cup and a short holiday, training has been good, the vibe is good now we have to apply it in football games and try to win games.
“It’s the first game of the season and from my experience in this league it is to try and be consistent and in the key months, November and December be there or thereabouts.”
Pereira brings good fortune with him?
17:15 , Mike JonesWolves’ Vítor Pereira has won eight of his 10 opening matches in his top-flight managerial career across spells with six different clubs.
His only such opening day defeat came last season, his Al-Shabab side going down 0-1 to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
Man City enjoy August games
17:10 , Mike JonesManchester City have lost just one of their last 31 Premier League games in August (W26 D4).
They lost down 1-0 at Spurs in their opening game of the 2021-22 season.
They’ve won their last eight August games by an aggregate score of 25-5.
Can Wolves get back to winning ways?
17:05 , Mike JonesAfter a six-game winning run in March and April, Wolves failed to win any of their final four Premier League games of 2024-25 with one win and three defeats.
Can they stop that rot this afternoon or will they kick off the new season with another loss?
Pre-match thoughts of Vitor Pereira
17:04 , Mike JonesThe Wolves boss said: “In the new season we have to compete from the first game. This is a tough competition and we need to start to get points from the beginning.
“Today is not the time to complain about what is missing. It is time to think about ourselves and our players.
“We have a good group and will compete for sure. This is what my focus is, not on the ones that leave but the ones I have at the moment.”
Will Cherki perform?
17:00 , Mike JonesNo player provided more assists in France’s Ligue 1 last season than new Man City signing Rayan Cherki (11).
The Frenchman was also involved in 13 goals in his last 15 league appearances for Lyon (5 goals, 8 assists).
Slow starters
16:55 , Mike JonesHaving been unbeaten in their opening league match in eight consecutive campaigns between 2013-14 and 2020-21 (four wins, four draws), Wolves have lost the first game of the season in each of the last four seasons.
Wolves manager Pereira says it's 'time to compete' after tough summer
16:50 , Lawrence OstlereVitor Pereira insists Wolves are ready to go despite a difficult summer in which they sold key players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
"We are working a lot to improve the team, to increase the mentality, the identity, to help the new players understand what we need from them. And this is all good spirit. They are working in the level that I like to see. Now it's time to compete."
on £15m signing Jon Arias, he added: "He was in Fluminense for a long time and now it's time to play in our way. He needs sometimes to understand everything tactically and what we demand from him."
Another win on the cards for City?
16:48 , Mike JonesMan City have won their opening league game in 13 of the last 14 seasons, with the exception being a 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur in 2021-22.
Quick starters
16:44 , Mike JonesThis will be the ninth consecutive Premier League campaign that Manchester City have started with an away game, while they’ve won seven of the previous eight, scoring 19 goals and only conceding twice across those matches.
Guardiola says bloated squad is 'not nice'
16:39 , Lawrence OstlereJames McAtee is expected to join Nottingham Forest and Tottenham have held talks over Savinho.
Kalvin Phillips has no future at the club and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is also expected to leave, given the competition for places.
"If they stay it's fine, but they know it," Guardiola said "The reality is that so they know it.
"If they stay, for me it's fine. It's not ideal but it's my job, I do it. But if they want to play regularly, maybe it's not going to happen."
Guardiola says bloated squad is 'not nice'
16:33 , Lawrence OstlereThis summer has seen City bring in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Trafford, as well as reserve goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and youngster Sveree Nypan.
But last season Guardiola had said he would "quit" if he had too many players on the books and there is still plenty of work to be done moving players on.
Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Scott Carson have left from the old guard, while Jack Grealish has gone on loan to Everton and January signing Vitor Reis has been loaned to sister club Girona.
"Pre-season is a dream," Guardiola said. "We have 40 players, it's not a problem. Pre-season is a paradise, 45 players is fine, everyone accepts it.
"From tomorrow, I have players who are not selected - it's not a problem because they are professionals, but it's not nice.
"You have to (have enough) that everybody competes to have the chance they can play on Saturday, that is when you get the best of them.
"When you have a lot of players, every week is (leave them) at home, it makes no sense. You have to find the right way."
Good memories of Molineux
16:25 , Mike JonesAcross the last five Premier League campaigns, Manchester City have won the joint-most games (4) and scored the most goals (14) of any side when facing Wolves at Molineux.
No Foden for Man City
16:23 , Mike JonesPhil Foden was an injury doubt heading towards today’s match and it is clear now that he is not fit to play.
Pep Guardiola has left him out of the squad entirely and will not risk playing him with Tijjani Reijnders set to take up the role supporting Erling Haaland.
Nico Gonzalez and Oscar Bobb are chosen to play alongside Bernardo Silva in midfield with Ilkay Gundogan and Rayan Cherki on the bench.
Wolves vs Man City line-ups
16:17 , Mike JonesWolves XI: Sa; Doherty, Agbadou, Toti; Hoever, J. Gomes, Andre, Wolfe; Bellegarde, Munetsi; Strand Larsen
Our first line-up of the new @premierleague season.
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 16, 2025
🐺📋 pic.twitter.com/Nx7gJAVQ3e
Man City XI: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez, Bernardo, Bobb; Reijnders, Haaland, Doku
Your first City XI of the @premierleague season! 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 16, 2025
XI | Trafford, Lewis, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Bernardo (C), Bobb, Reijnders, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Ake, Marmoush, Cherki, Gundogan, Akanji, Nunes, O'Reilly, Khusanov
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/41S3onk7QM
Ederson not in Man City's travelling squad
16:12 , Mike JonesManchester City’s No.1 goalkeeper Ederson hasn’t travelled with the squad to Molineux for today’s match.
There is some speculation that he could be leaving the club this summer but I’m sure Pep Guardiola will explain his omission shortly.
Full line-ups are expected in a few minutes so James Trafford could be given the nod to start.
Ederson is my No 1 keeper – for now
16:06 , Lawrence OstlerePep Guardiola has insisted that Ederson remains his first-choice goalkeeper at Manchester City amid speculation linking the Brazil international with a move to Turkey.
Ederson is reportedly keen on a move to join Galatasaray but City are clear they do not want to sell the 31-year-old, who has one year left on his contract.
City have themselves been strongly linked with Paris St Germain's unwanted goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, having already spent £27million to bring James Trafford back from Burnley.
But asked who was in line to start in goal in Saturday's Premier League opener away to Wolves, Guardiola said it would be Ederson.
"Right now, Eddy (is number one)," he said. "He's fit, yeah."
Wolves v Man City
16:00 , Mike JonesWolves have lost nine of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Manchester City (one win).
Their one victory in this period did come at Molineux early in the season, winning 2-1 in September 2023 under Gary O’Neil.
Predicted line-ups
15:55 , Lawrence OstlereHere is how the two sides could line up this evening:
Wolves XI: Sa; Doherty, Agbadou, Toti; Hoever, J. Gomes, Andre, Wolfe; Lopez, Arias; Strand Larsen.
Man City XI: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Gundogan, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Marmoush.
Wolves v Man City – team news
15:46 , Lawrence OstlereOn top of moving on five of their key players Wolves are without Leon Chiwon, Yerson Mosquera and Fabio Silva who all have injury problems.
Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias are both in line to make their Premier League debuts for the club and should support Jorgen Strand Larsen in the forward line.
For Man City, Mateo Kovacic is sideline with an achilles issue and Rodri is still searching for full fitness and could start the match from the bench.
There are also doubts over Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol and Claudio Echeverri who all missed last week’s pre-season match against Palermo due to fitness issues. Savinho may or may not be involved due to ongoing speculation about a possible transfer to Tottenham.
How to watch the game
15:38 , Lawrence OstlereWolves vs Man City is due to kick off at 5.30pm BST at Molineux.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on both channels beginning at 5pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go for subscribers as well.
Wolves v Man City
15:33 , Lawrence OstlereWolverhampton Wanderers take on Manchester City in today’s late Premier League kick-off hoping to begin the new season with a statement result at home.
Wolves have lost five key players including Matheus Cunha and Nelson Semedo during the summer transfer window and need time to bed in new signings Fer Lopez, Jhon Arias and David Moller Wolfe. Manager Vítor Pereira has a task on his hands to rebuild the team and keep them in the Premier League and faces one of the toughest tests straight away against Pep Guardiola’s City.
City themselves are hoping to challenge for the title again this year following a trophyless 2024/25 and Guardiola is busy forming his next great team.
Former captains Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker have been sold while Jack Grealish has been loaned out to Everton. Incomings include Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki who will hope to propel City back to the top of the table.
Wolves v Man City
15:29 , Lawrence OstlereHello and welcome along to live coverage of Wolves v Manchester City on day two of the new Premier League season.
