Man City player ratings vs Wolves, Reijnders in stunning debut as Cherki dazzles off the bench

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Manchester City opened their Premier League season with a deserved win at Wolves on Saturday as summer signing Tijjani Reijnders made a statement of intent.

City had a number of key players missing as Rodri, Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol were unfit and Ederson was unwell. Savinho is injured as he continues to be linked with a move to Tottenham so that allowed Reijnders to run the show in their absences.

Reijnders was the architect of City’s first goal, skilfully working his way through the midfield before scooping a lovely ball to Rico Lewis, who expertly found Erling Haaland at the back post for a tap-in.

A minute later, Oscar Bobb won possession in the middle, strode forward, and laid the ball into the path of Reijnders who slammed the ball beyond Jose Sa in the Wolves goal.

Haaland got a second when Bobb sent Reijnders into the area. The Dutchman cut the ball back perfectly for Haaland to sweep his shot into the far corner for City’s third.

As Wolves tired, substitute Rayan Cherki took the ball outside the area, produced a step-over and drilled the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards to seal the victory.

Man City player ratings vs Wolves

James Trafford – 7

Making his City debut after returning to the club this summer, Trafford was dominant in his area and imitated Ederson with a wonderful ball over the top to spark the attack for the third goal.

Rico Lewis – 7

Lewis is linked with a move away from City, but got the nod at right-back and rewarded Pep Guardiola with a smart run and decisive assist for Erling Haaland.

Ruben Dias – 6

Rarely troubled, Dias led the defence well and allowed John Stones to step into midfield when necessary. At his best, he remains undroppable at the back.

John Stones – 6

City just look so much more assured when Stones is playing at the heart of defence. He was solid at Wolves and City will hope he stays fit this season.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 6

A tricky Premier League debut for Ait-Nouri at the home of the side he left in the summer. He looked settled at the back and supported the attack well in a solid start.

Nico Gonzalez – 6

Gonzalez started his City career brightly after joining in January but tailed off and this was a quietly assured performance that he must continue while Rodri steps up his fitness.

Tijjani Reijnders – 8

An emphatic Premier League debut, pulling the strings in midfield and playing a role in City’s first three goals. His clip for the first was sublime, his finish for the second was ruthless, and pull-back for the third will massively please Pep Guardiola.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Bernardo is the new City captain and he used all his experience to help this unorthodox line up through a difficult opening day assignment.

Oscar Bobb – 7

After a season spent injured, Bobb made up for lost time with a calm assist for Reijnders’ goal, and a smart lay-off for Reijnders to tee up Haaland’s second.

Jeremy Doku – 5

If Savinho leaves, Doku will need to take on more attacking responsibility but it didn’t quite come off for him at Molineux. Room for improvement in the final third.

Erling Haaland – 8

Haaland just loves playing against Wolves, scoring his ninth and tenth goals against them here. He was in the right place to tap in the opener, and the low finish for his second capped off a lovely move.

Substitutes

Matheus Nunes – 6

Booed with his every touch, Nunes played with a point to prove from right-back and kept the ball well.

Omar Marmoush – 6

Marmoush had no major impact but kept the shape well. He will have seen the new competition in attack shine at Molineux and knows the standard he must reach.

Nico O’Reilly – 6

His determination to keep the ball earns him an assist as Cherki picked up possession and scored the fourth.

Rayan Cherki – 7

Cherki may have been disappointed not to start, so the number ten made a point with his pinpoint drive low into the bottom corner to seal the win late on.

Abdukodir Khusanov – N/A