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Pep Guardiola labelled Phil Foden as “amazing” after Manchester city survived a scare to begin their Premier League title challenge with a 3-1 win against Wolves.
The delay in the start of the City campaign, due to their participation in the Champions League last season, had allowed Liverpool to build a six-point lead over them before even kicking a ball.
Guardiola’s team couldn’t afford to slip up at Molineux if they wanted to keep up with the champions and went ahead two goals before the break thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s penalty and Foden’s fine shot.
City’s arrogant first half gave way to an anxiety spell as the Wolves dominated after the break and had to hold on after Raúl Jiménez scored a goal before Gabriel Jesús sealed the points in stoppage time.
Foden’s goal was a welcome morale boost in his first game since the midfielder was sent home in disgrace, along with Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood, after the pair invited local women to the England national team hotel.
The violation of coronavirus protocols after the England League of Nations game in Iceland was publicly condemned by City, but the 20-year-old retains Guardiola’s trust.
“For the goal and in the second half Foden played incredibly well, he helped us keep the ball,” Guardiola said.
While City equaled Aston Villa’s record of winning 10 consecutive opening games in a top flight season, there is no question that Liverpool remains the preeminent force in the Premier League for now.
But Guardiola was delighted to open with a win given the shorter-than-usual preseason.
“We couldn’t run much because our legs are tired but overall we played a good game,” he said.
“The period in which we are, the situation that we have had these last two weeks, I expected a few moments in which we suffer but in general we control it well.
“It was a good performance. We know how difficult it is in this stadium.
“Sometimes we need more time to get to our best condition, but it was a good start to come here and win.”
It feels like a crucial season for City and Guardiola as they look to reclaim the title they won in 2018 and 2019.
Guardiola says he needs to “deserve” an extension to his City contract rather than just receiving one when he enters the final year of his current contract.
After finishing 18 points behind Liverpool and suffering a surprising defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals against Lyon, City need to put more pressure on the champions this season and the first signs were encouraging.
It was De Bruyne, who showed no signs of relaxing after being voted PFA Player of the Year last season, who took on the responsibility of propelling City forward and in the 20th minute opened the Wolves defense.
The Belgian midfielder’s breakthrough into the Wolves’ box led to a headlong onslaught from Romain Saiss and referee Andre Marriner awarded a penalty that De Bruyne converted with ease.
City were beaten by the Wolves twice last season, but this was Guardiola’s team in their imperious prime and they struck again with a deft move in the 32nd minute.
Gabriel Jesus fired De Bruyne and his perfectly weighted pass found Sterling, whose precise cut pushed Foden to concede from 12 yards.
De Bruyne had a chance to make three from Jesus’ pass, but for once he couldn’t put the finishing touch when Rui Patricio saved well.
Fully outmatched in the first half, the Lobos improved greatly after the break and Guardiola had a worrying side as he inspected their crisp defense.
Daniel Podence turned to shoot wide and again threatened a chip on City goalkeeper Ederson, who had just cleared the crossbar.
Jiménez set up a tense finish when he encountered a Podence cross with a powerful header in the 78th minute, but Jesús scored deeply in injury time as his shot drifted towards Conor Coady.
