Manchester City have started their 2025–26 Premier League campaign in blistering style, securing a dominant 4-0 victory away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, with new signing Tijjani Reijnders producing a historic, man-of-the-match debut performance.
The Dutch midfielder, a major summer signing from AC Milan, was sensational from start to finish. He scored one goal and provided two assists for Erling Haaland, becoming only the second Manchester City player in history to both score and assist on their Premier League debut, matching a record set by the legendary club icon Sergio Agüero.
Reijnders was the architect of City’s fluid and dangerous attack. Shortly after the half-hour mark, he produced a “devilishly deft” scooped pass to set up Erling Haaland for the opening goal of the game. Just three minutes later, the Dutchman scored one himself, expertly finishing off a rapid counter-attack with a sweeping left-footed shot.
He capped his incredible individual performance on the hour mark by assisting Haaland’s second goal of the afternoon with another clever pass. Fellow debutant Rayan Cherki then came off the bench to score the fourth and complete the rout with a fine finish into the bottom corner.
Despite the dominant scoreline, there was one area of slight concern for manager Pep Guardiola. The team still “lacked a sense of stability” in midfield without the presence of the injured Rodri, with Wolves managing to find some joy on the break, only to be repeatedly denied by a well-drilled offside trap.
Overall, it was the perfect start to the season for a Manchester City side determined to reclaim their league title. The stunning, record-matching debut from Tijjani Reijnders and goals for Haaland and Cherki have sent a clear and powerful message to their rivals, even as they await the crucial return of their midfield anchor, Rodri.