Kevin De Bruyne was typically at his sparkling best against Wolves scoring City‘s first goal from the spot after he was brought down in the area, He also had a hand in a third for Manchester City.
De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Gabriel Jesus all got on the scoresheet to hand Man City an opening 3-1 win at Wolves, who briefly provided a late scare through Raul Jimenez’s header.
City got in their strides as De Bruyne’s penalty following Romain Saiss’ clumsy challenge after 20 minutes set them on their way to victory at the Molineux, a fixture they lost last season.
Phil Foden, 12 minutes later, doubled the advantage from a lovely one-touch move and it seemed like Guardiola’s men would end up cruising to victory in their first Premier League game of the season.
But in the second half, Wolves came back a different team with Daniel Podence going close with two moments of quality from the hosts with one finding Raul Jimenez who was not to be denied and nodded in from Pondence’e cross to reduce the deficit.
However, Gabriel Jesus’ late finish after De Bruyne won the ball back on the edge of the penalty area ensured a good evening’s work for the visitors.
Watch the match highlights below
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Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)
- Wolves have lost two of their last four Premier League home games (W2), as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 13 at Molineux (W6 D5).
- In 2020, Manchester City have won more penalties than any other side in the Premier League (8, scoring four).
- Since the start of last season, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in more Premier League goals (35 – 14 goals, 21 assists) than any other player, three ahead of Mohamed Salah who is second (32).
- Phil Foden has been directly involved in 22 goals in 33 starts for Manchester City in all competitions (12 goals, 10 assists).
- Since the restart in June, Raheem Sterling has had a hand in 13 goals in 14 appearances for Manchester City (11 goals, 2 assists), with only Pierre-Emerick Abameyang registering more in that time (14).
Emi Martinez saves a penalty as Villa grab an important winner
Former Arsenal goalie, Emi Martinez, showed pure class in one of the defining moments on his debut for Villa against Sheffield United when the new signing saved John Lundstram’s penalty in the first half of the game.
Ezri Konsa then provided the match-winner in the second half to ensure Aston Villa got their Premier League campaign underway with a win following a 1-0 victory over 10-man Sheffield United.
It was a cruel blow for Sheffield United, who put in a spirited performance, as they start the season with back-to-back defeats.
Meanwhile, Villa are up to the ninth position after their opening win.
Watch the match highlights below
Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)
- Aston Villa have won three consecutive Premier League games at Villa Park for the first time since October 2007 under Martin O’Neill.
- They are now unbeaten in their last 14 home league meetings with Sheffield United (W8 D6), including all five games against them at Villa Park in the Premier League (W4 D1).
- Sheffield United have lost their opening two games to a top-flight season for the first time since 1973-74.
- Emiliano Martínez became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty on their debut for Aston Villa in the Premier League.
