Wolves 1-3 Manchester City: Player Ratings as Kevin de Bruyne Shines in Citizens Victory

Manchester City survived a second-half Wolves fight back to get their Premier League season off to a winning start with a 3-1 victory at Molineux on Monday evening.

In an electric first-half performance from the Citizens, Kevin de Bruyne gave City the lead from the penalty spot after he was clumsily brought down by Romain Saiss, before Phil Foden doubled the visitors' advantage by applying the finishing touches to a slick team move.

Wolves looked a different team in the second half and caused City all sorts of problems, but Raul Jimenez and Daniel Podence both saw excellent opportunities go begging.

The hosts eventually pulled one back as Jimenez glanced home Podence's teasing cross, and though they pushed for an equaliser during spells in the second period, Gabriel Jesus wrapped up three points for City with a deflected effort right at the death.

Wolves

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Rui Patricio (GK) - 7/10 - Kept Wolves in the game with a selection of fine saves, including a particularly impressive first half stop from De Bruyne at point-blank range.

Romain Saiss (CB) - 5/10 - Conceded a penalty with a careless sliding tackle on De Bruyne - a challenge he arguably did not need to make.

Conor Coady (CB) - 6/10 - Excellent distribution throughout, but looked a bit overrun in the first half as City's forward line swarmed forward time and time again.

Willy Boly (CB) - 6/10 - Looked vulnerable at times in the first half, but put in a more assured performance in the second.

2. Midfielders

Adama Traore (RWB) - 8/10 - Such a live wire going forward, but was restricted in his opportunities to do so in the first half due to the sheer volume of possession City had. Was Wolves' most dangerous player in the second period.

Ruben Neves (CM) - 6/10 - An ambitious, ball-playing midfield pairing selection from Nuno, which did not initially pay off. Neves and Moutinho were overrun by City's vibrant midfield in the first half, and were unable to get their foot on the ball and dictate play themselves. It was a different story in the second, and City looked vulnerable.

Joao Moutinho (CM) - 6/10 - Struggled to cope with City's movement and fluidity in midfield, and failed to control possession or the game as City dominated. Both Moutinho and Neves got on the ball more in more advanced areas in the second half, sending the Wolves front three away and exposing City's weakness with the quick ball in behind.

Marcal (LWB) - N/A - Was forced off after just eight minutes through injury.

3. Forwards

Daniel Podence (FW) - 7/10 - Fired a fizzing effort just wide while on the turn, and lifted a golden opportunity over the bar when clean through. Produced an outrageous nutmeg and perfectly weighted cross to set up Wolves' first.

Raul Jimenez (ST) - 6/10 - Was left to feed off scraps in the first half. Traore put an opportunity on a plate for him in the second half, but he placed the ball just wide. Eventually got on the scoresheet with a glancing header.

Pedro Neto (FW) - 6/10 - Was quiet in the first half but switched over to the right flank in the second where he had more joy, creating a good opportunity for Jimenez with an astute cut back.

4. Substitutes

Ruben Vinagre - 6/10

Fabio Silva - 5/10

Leander Dendoncker - 5/10

Manchester City

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Ederson (GK) - 6/10 - Typically competent in possession but had very few saves to make, and could have done little about Wolves' goal.

Kyle Walker (RB) - 6/10 - Had a relatively quiet game as he seldom got forward, while the majority of Wolves' attacks came down the City left.

John Stones (CB) - 6/10 - Was untroubled in the first half, but looked vulnerable in spells during the second as the Wolves front three frequently got in behind the City backline.

Nathan Ake (CB) - 6/10 - Made a terrific block as Neto drove forward dangerously, but like Stones he looked exposed during periods in the second half as Wolves started threatening.

Benjamin Mendy (LB) - 6/10 - Dealt really well with the potential threat of Podence and Traore in the first half, and was still able to maraud forward dangerously himself. Looked more vulnerable in the second half and was beaten by Traore and Neto on a couple of occasions.

6. Midfielders

Fernandinho (CDM) - 8/10 - A typical Fernandinho performance; efficient in possession, intelligent out of it, with his reading of the game enabling him to break up play and shield the back four.

Rodri (CM) - 6/10 - Saw an ambitious, swerving volley fly narrowly wide in the first half. Typically neat and tidy in possession.

Kevin de Bruyne (CAM) - 9/10 - Be it running in behind, playing probing passes from deep or just keeping possession, he wreaked havoc all evening. Won City's penalty when he was brought down after surging into the box, before confidently dispatching the spot kick. Sent a sumptuous ball through to Sterling in the build up City's second.

7. Forwards

Raheem Sterling (LW) - 7/10 - Demonstrated superb awareness and intelligence to put the ball on a plate for Foden for City's second. His usual lively, energetic self.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 6/10 - Fired straight at Patricio after being slipped through by De Bruyne, and denied again late on. Found the net with a deflected effort in second half injury time.

Phil Foden (RW) - 8/10 - Played De Bruyne in with a clever through ball in the build up to the penalty. Netted City's second after beginning the move, drifting into the box unmarked and slotting home from close range. So clean and tidy in possession.

8. Substitutes

Ferran Torres - 6/10