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Manchester City sent out a title warning to Liverpool as Kevin De Bruyne inspired them to a hard-fought 3-1 win at Wolves.<\/p>\nManchester City sent out a title warning to Liverpool as Kevin De Bruyne inspired them to a hard-fought 3-1 win at Wolves.<\/p>\n
The midfielder\u2019s penalty and goals from Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus gave Pep Guardiola\u2019s side a statement victory to open their Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n
City were unplayable at times before losing their way after the break and Wolves made it nervy when Raul Jimenez pulled a goal back before Jesus struck in stoppage time.<\/p>\n
Guardiola\u2019s men still sent out a message to champions Liverpool as they look to reclaim the title they surrendered last season.<\/p>\n
De Bruyne, last term\u2019s Professional Footballers\u2019 Association player of the year, delivered a near faultless display while debutante Nathan Ake was assured.<\/p>\n
City finished last season \u2013 just over a month ago \u2013 in disarray after their Champions League quarter-final exit to Lyon but immediately ended any fears of a hangover with a dominant first-half display.<\/p>\n
They quickly swarmed all over Wolves and the hosts\u2019 night was made harder when Ruben Vinagre replaced the injured Marcal after just eight minutes.<\/p>\n
City pinned them back and Wolves needed Rui Patricio to parry De Bruyne\u2019s free-kick but the dominant visitors kept probing and got their reward after 20 minutes.<\/p>\n
Foden slipped De Bruyne in on the right and Romain Saiss\u2019 foolish lunge brought the midfielder down just inside the box.<\/p>\n
The Belgium international buried the penalty and Guardiola\u2019s unrelenting side continued to pile the pressure on.<\/p>\n
City threatened to slice through Wolves several times before they did again to double their lead after 32 minutes.<\/p>\n
De Bruyne had conducted City and he was at the heart of a slick move involving Ake, Rodrigo, Fernandinho and Foden.<\/p>\n
De Bruyne then slipped in Raheem Sterling to cross for the arriving Foden to finish as Wolves were torn apart.<\/p>\n
Wolves hit back from 2-0 down at Molineux last season to win 3-2 but without the backing of a vociferous fan-base \u2013 and the fact City were just too good \u2013 there was no way back.<\/p>\n
Jimenez headed Adama Traore\u2019s cross wide five minutes before the break but it was Wolves\u2019 only opening of a chastening half.<\/p>\n
It would have been worse had Patricio not turned De Bruyne\u2019s shot over after he was sent clear by Jesus\u2019 header.<\/p>\n
There was no desire from City to sit on their lead after the break, demonstrated by their fierce pressing and Jesus\u2019 shot at Patricio.<\/p>\n
But Wolves finally found their spark and created a flurry of chances, starting when Daniel Podence curled wide.<\/p>\n
Ruben Neves\u2019 low drive was then cleared by Kyle Walker in a warning to City and Podence went closer after 59 minutes.<\/p>\n
The forward was sent through by Neves only to chip over and, a minute later, Jimenez side-footed Traore\u2019s cross wide from six yards.<\/p>\n
The striker did pull a goal back with 12 minutes left when Podence nutmegged De Bruyne and crossed for him to head in.<\/p>\n
But Jesus ended any City fears when he made it 3-1 in injury time, his shot deflecting in off Conor Coady.<\/p>\n