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Manchester City sent a title warning to Liverpool when Kevin De Bruyne inspired them to a hard-fought 3-1 win over Wolves.
The midfielder’s penalty and goals from Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus gave Pep Guardiola’s team a great victory to open their Premier League campaign.
City were unplayable for moments before losing their way after the break and the Lobos were nervous when Raúl Jiménez scored a goal before Jesús attacked in injury time.
Guardiola’s men still sent a message to champion Liverpool as they seek to regain the title they handed over last season.
De Bruyne, the Professional Footballers Association player of the year from last period, put on a near-flawless display while rookie Nathan Ake was insured.
17-year-old forward Liam Delap, the son of former Republic of Ireland defender Rory but an English minor international, was an unused substitute for the visitors.
City ended last season, just over a month ago, in disarray after their Champions League quarter-final outing against Lyon, but immediately ended any hangover fears with a dominant display in the first half.
They quickly invaded the Lobos and the hosts’ night became more difficult when Rubén Vinagre replaced the injured Marcal after just eight minutes.
City covered them and the Wolves needed Rui Patricio to stop De Bruyne’s free kick, but the dominant visitors kept investigating and got their reward after 20 minutes.
Foden slid De Bruyne down the right and Romain Saiss’s stupid lunge knocked the midfielder down just inside the area.
The Belgian international buried the penalty and Guardiola’s relentless side continued to press.
City threatened to cut the Wolves several times before doing so again to double their lead after 32 minutes.
De Bruyne had coached City and was at the center of a clever play involving Ake, Rodrigo, Fernandinho and Foden.
De Bruyne then slipped into Raheem Sterling to cross over for Foden to arrive and finish as the Wolves ripped apart.
The Wolves responded 2-0 down at Molineux last season to win 3-2, but without the backing of a vociferous fan base, and the fact that City were too good, there was no going back.
Jimenez headed Adama Traore’s cross cross five minutes before the break, but it was the Wolves’ only start in a penalty half.
It would have been worse if Patrick hadn’t parried De Bruyne’s shot after Jesus’ header cleared it.
City didn’t feel like taking the lead after the break, demonstrated by their fierce pressure and Jesús’ shot at Patricio.
But the Wolves finally found their spark and created a flurry of opportunities, starting when Daniel Podence opened wide.
Then Kyle Walker cleared Ruben Neves’ low shot on a warning to City and Podence came close after 59 minutes.
The forward was sent by Neves only to pass and, a minute later, Jiménez deflected a cross from Traore from six yards.
The striker pushed back a goal with 12 minutes remaining when Podence hit a ball with De Bruyne and crossed for him to head in.
But Jesus put an end to City fears when he made it 3-1 in injury time, and his shot deflected from Conor Coady.
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