BLUES HAVE NEW PEP IN THEIR STEP

Kennedy hugely impressed with revived City

- BY DEREK FOLEY

MANCHESTER City were a revelation on opening day, beating Wolves 4-0.

Erling Haaland bagged the first goal, it was soon evident Tijjani Reijnders is an exceptional replacement for KDB, and Oscar Bobb looked a topflight veteran.

James Trafford, between the posts, didn’t appear to be under strict instructions to play it short/sideways, Rayan Cherki’s 30 or so minutes had their Cityzens fans sites harking back to Georgi Kinkladze.

Pep Guardiola had Bobb-Haaland-Doku holding a high line, City’s midfield operated a vigorous counter-press and attacking through what former City and Ireland star

Mark Foden, Savinho and Rodri watching from the stand.

The preseason doubters may not have gone complete reverse-ferret yet but the coming encounter, with Spurs on Saturday afternoon (12.30), has its own paricular yardstick; this game was City’s nadir last term, the London side winning 4-0 at the Etihad.

"I think it'll be a great game, I watched Tottenham against PSG during last week and I thought they were excellent," said Kennedy (right).

"If I was to take what I took from the PSG game and watching City-Wolves, it’s a real risk and reward game because Tottenham are a mid-to-low block, counter-pressing, counterattacking team so if it was a boxing match, it would be two real ultimate clashes of style.

"Spurs have got some really high-end quality in their front-line too, Richarlison got another two goals at the weekend, Mohammed Kudus, who they signed from West Ham, is a really good player.