Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a comfortable victory over bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium, easing pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side after a difficult start to 2026.
New signing Omar Marmoush opened his Premier League account to put City in control, as the champions snapped a four-game winless run in the league.
Guardiola made notable selection choices by leaving Erling Haaland and Phil Foden on the bench, but their absence had little impact as City dominated proceedings from the opening stages.
Wolves set up in a defensive shape with a five-man backline, aiming to frustrate the hosts, but City found early openings. January arrival Marc Guehi nearly marked his debut with a goal inside five minutes, only for his close-range header to be safely gathered by goalkeeper José Sá.
City’s pressure eventually told, with Marmoush breaking the deadlock to put the champions ahead. The hosts then doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Bernardo Silva slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Antoine Semenyo, who kept his composure to fire past Sá from the edge of the area.
Semenyo continued to trouble the Wolves defence after the interval and came close to adding a third when he rattled the crossbar as City maintained control of possession and territory.
Haaland and Foden were introduced in the second half, allowing City to manage the game with greater authority.
Wolves’ best opportunity arrived late on when Yerson Mosquera glanced a header onto the crossbar, though it proved little more than a consolation moment for the visitors.
The result stabilises Manchester City’s league campaign and relieves pressure following recent setbacks.
Wolves, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of the table, having recorded just one league win all season and sitting 14 points adrift of safety.
