The £46 million summer signing from AC Milan became only the second player in City’s history — after Sergio Agüero in 2011 — to both score and assist on his Premier League debut.
City broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Reijnders, showing vision and composure, lofted a perfectly weighted pass to Rico Lewis, whose low cross was tapped in by Erling Haaland. Just three minutes later, the Dutchman was on the scoresheet himself, pouncing on a defensive error and rifling a first-time left-footed strike into the far corner.
Reijnders’ influence didn’t stop there. Midway through the second half, he combined neatly with Oscar Bobb before cutting the ball back for Haaland to net his second of the evening. His box-to-box energy, precise passing, and intelligent movement drew praise from pundits, with Jamie Redknapp hailing him as “a player who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck”.
Fellow debutant Rayan Cherki added a fourth late on with a curling strike from the edge of the box, capping a perfect opening day for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Guardiola was full of praise for his new No.4, calling him “a top signing for the coming years” and highlighting his immediate impact on the team’s rhythm and creativity.
With this performance, Reijnders has not only endeared himself to the City faithful but also sent a clear message to the rest of the league: Manchester City’s midfield has found a new talisman.
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