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Another goalless game Erling Haalandbut at least one with a difference. have a cameo Manchester Cityis a great constant. Goals from those two took the scoring load off his massive shoulders. Haaland’s latest return now comes with his only penalty in his last nine games, but it’s not a day to be lamented by City.
for several weeks, Guardiola Previously, Omar Marmouche’s absence from the African Cup of Nations was one of the reasons why he was unable to rest Haaland. When the Egyptian returned and the Norwegian took his turn on the bench, Malmouche scored: but as a left-winger. “I see him more as a striker than a true winger,” said Guardiola, who remains a contrarian thinker even though Haaland remains City’s only out-and-out centre-forward.
But it’s fair to say he’s not the only professional scorer. Only Haaland and Brentford’s Igor Thiago have more Premier League target ratio Antoine Semenho and £62.5m signingManchester City’s first – but third in three different competitions – was Evidence of his clinical touch. Haaland played for 17 minutes, and the outcome of the game was decided.
It meant City ended one of the worst weeks of Guardiola’s reign with a routine victory. After first a comprehensive defeat in the Manchester derby To the weak of Bodo/Glintthey encountered unnecessary calm Wolves side.
They appear to have been intimidated by City’s reputation and ignored the reality of recent weeks. It was at least a testament to City’s resources: Guardiola could start without the overworked Phil Foden (who only had half an hour) and Haaland after Norway was short of 11 players. His two top scorers cost at least £60m each. He debuted his latest acquisition and Mark Geshe Build a confident figure, His death enabled him to return home Sky blue.
Manchester City have invested heavily for a month in a row, with Malmouche set to arrive in 2025. “When he arrived he was unbelievable,” Guardiola said. “He is a special player.” However, the top scorer in the Premier League last season did not score again this season.
The eight-month wait was over within six minutes when Mamouche volleyed in from Matheus Nunez’s cross. This is the Nunes derby, and if the Portuguese barely impresses as a Wolves player, it’s a reminder that clubs in the midlands may be selling too many players for their own survival prospects.
But Guardiola was rewarded for using Malmouche on the flanks with Rayan Cherki up front. The Egyptian may have been involved in the second goal. He brilliantly latched on to a long pass from Abdukodir Kusanov and, on a breakaway inside, fired the ball towards the post and off the outstretched arm of Jessen Mosquera. However, referee Farai Hallam was sent to the screen and ruled it was not a penalty, something the official did well to exonerate on his Premier League debut.
“Fair play to Farley, I think it’s the right decision,” Wolves head coach Rob Edwards said. Guardiola did not agree and suggested he wait for referees chief Howard Webb to call him on Sunday.
Regardless, Semenho doubled, or almost tripled, City’s lead. His 11th goal in the Premier League was scored. “Perfect control, getting the ball into the net,” Guardiola gushed. Semenho finished the shot with his left foot. The same goes for thunderbolts that bounce off beams. There are few more two-footed players, and if that was part of the reason City bought him, so were his goalscoring. “Antoine has been incredible since he arrived,” Guardiola said.
For Haaland, who has missed top-flight action for the first time this season, the break allowed him to chat with fellow Norwegian David Moller-Wolf during the warm-up. His eventual appearance took his minutes for City this season to 2,586; Guardiola’s call for him seemed odd.
His introduction illustrated the disparity between the teams. “We laughed when we brought Toru [Arokodare] they are bringing [Jeremy] Edwards added: “Doku and Erling Haaland. In fact, Haaland is not the only backup striker. Edwards dropped Arokodare, but for different reasons Wolves adopted a 5-5-0 formation. “We made the change because they suffocate you and take away possession of the ball,” Edwards said.
However, Wolves seemed oblivious to City’s recent results or weakness as they missed chances in the first half. Wolves have become more ambitious since then, with Leeds United target Jorgen Strand-Larsen coming on the scene in what could be a farewell game. His header went wide and Mosquera bounced one off the crossbar from the corner.
“If we had one, the atmosphere and atmosphere might change,” Edwards said. Instead, Manchester City ended their wait even if Haaland’s drought did not end. They achieved their first league victory in 2026.