Match Report & Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-0 Wolves (Premier League)

Manchester City banished the demons of a disastrous week domestically and in Europe this afternoon, beating Premier League bottom side Wolves 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

With Phil Foden and Erling Haaland amongst the substitutes, it was a new-look attacking shape for Pep Guardiola’s team, and one which was instantly rewarded as the returning Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo struck first-half goals.

The second-half never reached the height of the first for the Blues, but after such damaging defeats to Manchester United and Bodo/Glimt over the last seven days, City will be grateful for this confident and assured victory to cut the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table to four points for a day at least.

The Etihad Stadium didn’t have to wait long for the opener. Bernardo Silva spread it wide just after five minutes for the returning Matheus Nunes to deliver a delicious cross for Marmoush to meet with a volley and finish clinically.

Marc Guehi was unavailable for a City debut against Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday and his new side were the worse for it; he showcased his progressive abilities in the opening 10 minutes here, first by testing Jose Sa with a header from a corner, then by expertly picking out fellow January signing Semenyo for a shot into the legs of the Wolves goalkeeper.

City’s link-up play was fluid in the early exchanges, a real antidote to lethargic showings of the last week – Semenyo won the ball and Rodri, Rayan Cherki and Nico O’Reilly ping-ponged the ball between each other in fine style, eventually culminating in Cherki blazing high from the edge of the area.

The game dwindled somewhat for the following 20 minutes, but reignited when a pinpoint Abdukodir Khusanov long ball was brought in and fired against the post by Marmoush – and it wasn’t over there, as a VAR check over whether Yerson Mosquera had committed a handball offence in the build-up was eventually waved away after several looks at it by Premier League debutant referee Farai Hallam.

But the Blues didn’t end up needing a penalty to double their lead before the break. Rodri and Cherki again advanced the play and freed Silva in space, whose pass to Semenyo was both brilliantly collected and clinically finished for a first league goal in blue for the Ghanaian.

Wolves were unbeaten in 2026 coming into today, but their fortunes at the Etihad were more like those of a side currently 15 points from safety at the bottom of the table – they applied a little more pressure in the opening 10 minutes of the second-half, Joao Gomes shooting narrowly over from a free-kick on the edge.

Set-pieces appeared to be the visitors’ best hope of getting on the scoresheet; Matheus Mane swung a dangerous delivery into the City box and Mosquera beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to the ball, but the goalkeeper got away with it as the header rebounded off his trailing arm for a save of sorts.

City’s second-half showing was a far flatter affair than the liveliness they produced in the first, although Semenyo threatened to raise the roof again, receiving from substitute Foden and cracking his drive off the bar.

Wolves had their own effort off the upright when Mosquera flicked a header onto the woodwork from another late corner, but despite an additional bit of a late push from the visitors, City were rarely tested properly in this one and will hope to bring a few more of those first-half fireworks into Wednesday’s must-win Champions League clash against Galatasary.

Here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s much-needed victory over Wolves!

Starting XI

Gianluigi Donnarumma –7

Will be grateful for an afternoon as quiet as this one after having been thoroughly overworked in goal in the past week. Not overly assured in dealing with set-pieces but played out without too much trouble.

Matheus Nunes –8

Was treated to hostile attention by the visiting supporters – at least until they gave up after realising it was having no affect on City’s revelatory right-back. Returned from his flu layoff with a typically vibrant showing, winning most of his duels at the back and assisting Marmoush superbly.

Abdukodir Khusanov –7.5

Like his goalkeeper, has earned an afternoon of relative comfort. Kept things simple in possession, save for an expansive pick-out of Marmoush which nearly earned him an assist.

Marc Guehi –8 (POTM)

Just the kind of debut he would have hoped for. Dealt with the limited threat Wolves were able to pose with refreshing ease, and slotted right into City’s playing out from the back.

Nico O’Reilly –8

His most all-action display on the left flank for some time. Offered width when Marmoush drifted inside, and routinely got back to snuff out Wolves attacks.

Rodri –7.5

Still showed he has some rust to shake off in his out-of-possession work – not as dramatically as on Tuesday though, thankfully. Was essential to City’s ball-playing throughout and that will be a huge miss against Galatasary.

Bernardo Silva –8

Hopefully his efforts won’t go as far under the radar this afternoon as the usually do. Linked the City play in all parts of the pitch and grabbed an assist for Semenyo.

Tijjani Reijnders –7

A bright presence, never quite making it happen in his hour on the pitch but making a nuisance of himself to Wolves with his energy and movement.

Antoine Semenyo –8

Signed to add goal threat from wide areas, and that’s exactly what he’s doing in his early days as a Manchester City player. Combined well with his teammates, struck a really good goal and came so close to another.

Rayan Cherki –7

Seemed to enjoy his free role as the false nine, dropping deep to link play and attempt the killer pass. Some better decision-making at key moments could have seen him walk away with multiple goal involvements.

Omar Marmoush –7.5

Returned to that role playing just wide off of a false nine from which he often profited last season, and did so again today. Didn’t always prosper in one-on-one situations, but was a big threat with his movement in behind and was supremely sharp to steal in for his first Premier League goal of the season.

Substitutes

Phil Foden –6.5

Sprayed some good passes about off the bench.

Jeremy Doku –6.5

Rode some aggressive Wolves tackling.

Erling Haaland –6

Couldn’t get involved.