Manchester City swept past Wolves with ease to remind everyone that they are, indeed, a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Liverpool's title victory last season and their impressive transfer business has led many to believe that the Reds will defend their Premier League crown.
But a roaring Erling Haaland double, a fine strike from new boy Tijjani Reijnders and a lasered-in effort from fellow Premier League debutant Rayan Cherki on Saturday evening at Molineux will send a clear message to Anfield: We are not going anywhere.
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Erling Haaland scored twice in a 3-0 win over Wolves at Molineux
|PA
Pep Guardiola would have detested the sight of the title making its way down to Merseyside while he has had to somewhat reinvent his City side with the departures of Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker and impending exit of Ederson.
City do not need a second invitation when it comes to spending lavishly and they look like they have signed a superstar in Reijnders from AC Milan, who was heavily involved in the first goal, scored the second and set up the third - but what did we learn?
City slickers ready to win back their title
Since 2017, City have won every Premier League title except two - in 2020 and 2025 - a total of six titles including an incredible four-year stretch where the ribbons on the trophy remained light blue and white.
Even so, there has been almost a feeling that Guardiola's era might be slowing down - Saturday's victory was a distinctive reminder that anyone thinking so would be a fool.
City dominated Wolves, who were admittedly poor, and it will take a Herculean effort from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal to triumph over them this year in the title race.
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Wolves are facing a long season
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira arrived last season with the club 19th after nine points from 16 games and performed a small miracle in turning them around, taking 32 points from their next eighteen league games as they finished 16th.
However, in their opening match of the 2025/26 season, Wolves' deficiencies were laid bare after some shoddy play throughout including misplaced passes, defensive errors and lacklustre attack.
Wolves fans might have to gear up for another long season where they might experience more downs than ups
Tijjani Reijnders might be the perfect Kevin de Bruyne replacement
Tijjani Reijnders had a stunning introduction to Premier League life with a goal and assist
|Reuters
City have done plenty of business this summer but their deal to sign Reijnders might be the best of the bunch - and also in the Premier League.
He took to life in the top tier of English football with ease, gliding in and out of challenges and oozing quality every time he was on the ball.
The Dutchman's chipped pass for Rico Lewis helped Haaland open the scoring before getting in on the act himself, firing in from outside the box to give City a quick double before half-time.
The former AC Milan star then did get his assist, setting up Haaland to strike with venom past Jose Sa.
De Bruyne is essentially irreplaceable - a Premier League legend who will go down as one of the best in the game - but Reijnders might do a fine job in helping City fans move on.
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