Man City Beat Wolves 2-0 to Return to Winning Ways in Premier League | OneFootball

Manchester City 2-0 Wolves as Guardiola’s Side Return to Winning Ways

Manchester City eased past Wolves with a controlled 2-0 Premier League victory at the Etihad Stadium, ending a frustrating run and restoring momentum at a key stage of the season. Goals from Omar Marmoush and Semenyo ensured Pep Guardiola’s side returned to winning ways, offering a timely reminder of City’s depth and adaptability.

After a difficult start to 2026 that saw City fail to win any of their previous four league matches, Guardiola opted for rotation. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden were both named on the bench, a decision that underlined the manager’s faith in his wider squad and his willingness to trust alternative attacking options.

By the time both were introduced in the second half, City had already done the damage.

Early dominance sets the tone

Wolves arrived with a clear game plan, sitting deep in a five man defensive structure designed to limit space and frustrate the home side. Yet City’s response was immediate. From the opening minutes, they moved the ball quickly, stretching Wolves laterally and probing for weaknesses.

Debutant Marc Guehi nearly marked his first appearance in a City shirt with a goal. Rising at the back post inside five minutes, his header was well directed but straight at Jose Sa, who gathered comfortably. It was an early signal of City’s intent and their ability to generate chances from multiple areas.

The breakthrough arrived moments later. Marmoush reacted sharply to Matheus Nunes’ whipped cross, stabbing the ball home from close range to give City a deserved lead. It was a composed finish and a significant moment for Marmoush, who opened his Premier League account for the season in a fixture that demanded initiative.

Wolves resistance fades before the break

Wolves attempted to respond, with Semenyo briefly threatening after latching onto a ball over the top. His first time strike was bundled away by Sa, denying City a quick second and offering Wolves a fleeting sense of survival.

That resistance did not last. City continued to control possession and territory, pinning Wolves deep and forcing them into reactive defending. The second goal, arriving on the stroke of half time, reflected City’s technical quality and composure in tight spaces.

Bernardo Silva fizzed a precise pass into Semenyo on the edge of the area. The forward took it in stride and finished coolly, doubling City’s advantage and effectively sealing the points before the interval. It was a moment that captured City’s rhythm and confidence, with movement and execution combining to decisive effect.

Squad depth underlines City strength

Guardiola introduced Haaland and Foden in the second half, yet the match had already tilted firmly in City’s favour. Semenyo continued to pose a threat, later rattling the crossbar as City searched for a third goal.

Wolves, to their credit, kept working. Yerson Mosquera came close late on, his flicked header clipping the crossbar, a reminder that City’s concentration still needed to be maintained. However, such moments were isolated.

For Wolves, the broader picture remains bleak. Rob Edwards’ side have now won just once all season and sit 14 points adrift of safety. The structure and effort were evident, but the gulf in quality, particularly in the final third, was stark.

For Manchester City, this was a valuable response. The 2-0 win over Wolves may not be remembered for spectacle, but it carried importance. It restored confidence, highlighted the squad’s depth, and reaffirmed City’s capacity to manage rotation while still delivering results in the Premier League.