Paul Merson has urged the Premier League to sit up and take notice following Manchester City’s emphatic 4-0 triumph over Wolves on the opening day of the season. The performance, highlighted by several standout displays, served as a potent reminder of the sky blues’ potential under Pep Guardiola.
Despite having flown somewhat under the radar during pre-season due to the spotlight shining on Liverpool and Arsenal, City swiftly demonstrated their credentials. “Nobody seemed to really mention City in the lead-up to the campaign,” Merson remarked on Sky Sports. “It was almost as if people had forgotten the level they can reach after last season’s dip. But they’ve shown us pretty quickly that they’re back. Their display was nothing short of a wake-up call.”
While noting that Wolves might not have posed the sternest of tests, Merson acknowledged the significance of such a dominant away victory. “Winning 4-0 on your travels in the Premier League’s opening weekend is no small feat. City made a statement, while Soccer Saturday was bustling with chatter about Liverpool and Arsenal as title favourites.”
A sterling performance from Erling Haaland set the tone. The Norwegian continued his tradition of scoring in every one of his four Premier League opening weekends, netting a brace at Molineux. His first, a simple tap-in from Rico Lewis’s assist, and a second following a flowing move involving Reijnders and Oscar Bobb.
City’s new acquisition, Tijjani Reijnders, also showcased his prowess, marking his debut with a well-taken goal thanks to a deft through-ball from Bobb. Rayan Cherki added gloss to the scoreline with a thunderous late effort.
Merson was particularly effusive in his praise for Reijnders. “Tijjani looked the part,” he stated. “He played as though it was all second nature, and in this City team, he’s only going to improve.”
Looking ahead, Manchester City’s upcoming clash with Tottenham is positioned as a more rigorous test, but Merson’s confidence in Guardiola’s side remains unshaken. “There’s no denying their quality,” he summed up after their Molineux masterclass.
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