Season Opener Underway at Molineux

A minute-by-minute look at the season opener as City visit Wolves at Molineux.

Wolves Start Season Against Manchester City

Manchester City began the new season with early pressure, asserting control as they search for momentum. A careless pass from Dias in the sixth minute was intercepted by Wolves, who sent a low cross toward Strand Larsen. Dias recovered to block the chance as City responded with quick buildup, and a later cross from Bellegarde forced a first-half corner that Wolves cleared. City continued to dominate possession as Bobb found space for Reijnders on the right, only for the ball to drift out for a goal kick.

The teams lined up with City giving James Trafford his competitive debut in goal and Ederson absent due to illness. Everton loanee? no, Ederson illness is noted. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders both made Premier League debuts for City after featuring at the Club World Cup, while David Moller Wolfe started for Wolves alongside a squad mix that included Arias and Fer Lopez on the bench. The atmosphere at Molineux was charged by tributes to Diogo Jota, with fans recalling his Wolves era as the kickoff finally arrived.

City’s quick opening spells suggest they aim to stamp rhythm early, leveraging new players and a familiar high-press approach. The presence of Reijnders in midfield and Haaland’s threat, even when tightly marked, signals the team’s intent to recycle possession and probe from the wings. Wolves, meanwhile, appear focused on resilience and organization under Vitor Pereira, hoping the home crowd can lift a side rebuilt after departures. The debut status for Trafford in goal and the introduction of Wolves’ Moller Wolfe and City’s fresh faces adds a layer of adaptation that could shape the opening weeks of the campaign. This match also highlights the season’s broader arc: early fixtures test depth, fitness, and the ability to translate training work into results while weathering the arrival of new faces.

As coaches frame the period ahead, Guardiola signals a long-term plan even in August. Pereira emphasizes starting bravely and building from the first whistle, a stance that could set the tone for Wolves’ season as they balance ambition with a need for steadier points. The result may matter less than the patterns teams show now and the way they respond to adversity in the weeks to come.

Highlights

The season has started and the real test lies in how teams translate the opening tempo into consistency.