Marmoush And Semenyo Fire Manchester City Past Wolves

Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium had plenty to cheer about on January 24, 2026, as their side bounced back from a turbulent week with a resounding 2-0 victory over bottom-of-the-table Wolves. Pep Guardiola’s men, fresh off a derby defeat to Manchester United and a Champions League shock at Bodø/Glimt, reminded everyone why they remain a force in the Premier League, even when star striker Erling Haaland starts on the bench.

Guardiola’s lineup raised eyebrows before kickoff. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, two of City’s most influential players, were left among the substitutes, a move that had supporters and pundits alike buzzing. The manager later explained the decision, stating Haaland was “exhausted” and needed rest for both body and mind after a grueling run of fixtures. Haaland had not been out of the starting eleven since November 25, 2025, and hadn’t missed an entire game since late October. Phil Foden, too, was given a breather, with both expected to play a role from the bench if needed.

Into the breach stepped January signings and fresh faces. Marc Guéhi, making his debut after a £20 million move from Crystal Palace, slotted into central defense with calm assurance. The young England international wasted little time making an impression, nearly opening the scoring with a powerful header inside the first five minutes, only to be denied by Wolves goalkeeper José Sá. Guéhi later remarked, "I’m excited to join Manchester City and develop as a player and person at this club," reflecting the optimism surrounding his arrival.

The breakthrough came moments later. In the sixth minute, Omar Marmoush, starting his first Premier League match since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, pounced on a whipped cross from former Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes. Marmoush’s clinical finish marked his first league goal of the season and continued a remarkable personal record: all eight of his Premier League goals have come at the Etihad, the most by any player with 100% of their goals scored at a single ground in competition history.

City dominated possession and pressed relentlessly, while Wolves, set up with a five-man defense under manager Rob Edwards, struggled to advance beyond their own half. The visitors completed just a single pass in the City final third during the opening half hour. Their best early chance fell to teenager Mateus Mané, whose ambitious shot from distance sailed well over the bar, much to the relief of the home crowd.

Marc Guéhi’s composure at the back allowed City’s midfield to dictate play. Matheus Nunes, returning from illness, orchestrated attacks with Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders, while Antoine Semenyo—another recent signing—provided width and energy on the right. Semenyo, cup-tied for the midweek Champions League defeat, looked eager to make amends.

VAR drama briefly threatened to tip the scales. Marmoush, ever the menace, struck the post after latching onto a long ball from Abdukodir Khusanov. As he tried to cut back inside, the ball ricocheted off Yerson Mosquera’s arm. Referee Farai Hallam, making his Premier League debut, was summoned to the pitchside monitor by VAR Darren England. After a tense review, Hallam stuck with his initial decision, ruling Mosquera’s arm was in a "natural position"—no penalty awarded, to the frustration of the City faithful.

Undeterred, City doubled their lead just before the interval. Bernardo Silva fizzed a precise pass into Semenyo’s feet at the edge of the area. The Ghanaian forward cut inside and, with a cool left-footed finish, slotted the ball low past Sá. It was Semenyo’s first Premier League goal for City since joining from Bournemouth earlier in January, and his third goal in as many competitions for the club—having already netted in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. Notably, it was his 11th goal in his last 17 home games, underlining his growing influence.

The second half saw City ease off the accelerator slightly, perhaps with an eye on their crucial Champions League fixture against Galatasaray looming just days ahead. Wolves began to find pockets of space, and João Gomes sent a free-kick narrowly over the bar. Mosquera, desperate to make amends for his earlier handball incident, nearly pulled one back with a flicked header from a corner, but Gianluigi Donnarumma—City’s reliable shot-stopper—reacted sharply to tip the effort onto the crossbar.

Guardiola shuffled his pack on the hour, introducing Phil Foden for Reijnders and, later, unleashing Haaland and Jérémy Doku to maintain attacking threat. Yet, it was Semenyo again who came closest to adding a third, rattling the post in the 77th minute with another trademark left-footed strike. Wolves, for their part, continued to toil but rarely looked like finding the net—Mosquera’s header aside, their only effort on target was a tame attempt easily handled by Donnarumma.

The final whistle confirmed a comfortable three points for Manchester City, who now sit just four behind league leaders Arsenal, at least until the Gunners’ clash with Manchester United. The win also extended City’s remarkable unbeaten run to 31 consecutive Premier League matches against teams starting the day bottom of the table—a streak dating back to December 2008.

For Wolves, the defeat leaves them 14 points adrift of safety with 15 games remaining, and their prospects of survival are looking bleaker by the week. Rob Edwards, managing his 50th Premier League game, has now suffered 32 defeats—a sobering statistic, though he praised his team’s resilience against a dominant City side.

City’s January additions—Marmoush, Semenyo, and Guéhi—were all instrumental in the victory. Guardiola, speaking after the match, lauded their immediate impact: "The new signings have brought fresh energy and quality to the squad at a crucial time." The result also highlights an intriguing stat: since Haaland joined in summer 2022, City have won 18 of 22 Premier League games in which he has not started, boasting an 82% win rate compared to 63% when he is in the starting eleven.

Looking ahead, Manchester City will turn their attention to the Champions League, aiming to secure a top-eight spot when they host Galatasaray on January 28. Wolves, meanwhile, face a daunting trip to Bournemouth as they continue their fight for Premier League survival.

On a chilly January evening in Manchester, City’s mix of established stars and new arrivals gave supporters hope that, despite recent setbacks, the hunt for silverware is very much alive. The Etihad faithful will be watching closely as Guardiola’s men head into a pivotal stretch of the season, with momentum—and perhaps the element of surprise—firmly on their side.