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KDB shines, Sterling plays false 9 & things we learned from Man City vs Wolves

  /  autty

Wolverhampton Wanderers produced a surprise result in pre-season after defeating Manchester City to win the Premier League Asia Trophy.

Nuno Espirito Santos's side survived a first-half blitz from the Premier League champions before defeating them 3-2 on penalty kicks following a goalless encounter.

But both teams had reasons to be cheerful as Sportsmail's Jack Gaughan looks at the things we learned from the clash in Shanghai.

De Bruyne looked sharp after injury hit season

Kevin De Bruyne admitted at the end of last season that he 'felt like a fan' because of the constant injury issues he endured. He had actually played around half of the games but, given his competitiveness, felt like a spare part.

So it is no surprise that De Bruyne has returned with menace and what appears to be additional power. One first-half volley switched the play instantaneously, swizzed 40 yards to Leroy Sane and dazed a Wolves defender into tripping himself up.

Some of his touches were divine and there has been a real sense of renewed determination about him this week.

Wolves ready for Euro tour

Wolves will be ready for their early start to the campaign. There was plenty of energy in the legs at the Hongkou Stadium in a team that could be fairly close to the one that will face Crusaders in the Europa League on Thursday.

Nuno Espirito Santo had his players back early towards the end of June and they intend to attack the European competition.

Diogo Jota looks like picking up where he left off, while Morgan Gibbs-White's performances as the central striker have been encouraging. He gave Aymeric Laporte some problems.

Guardiola's new groove

Pep Guardiola is someone who aims to evolve constantly and he might just be up to something out here in China.

City moved in slightly different patterns when in possession on Saturday. Not a massive deviation to what we have seen in recent years but perhaps a subtle change. He spent the majority of an enforced break offering direction to most of his starting XI, calling some back more than once to hammer home the message.

The Premier League champions spent much of the first half with two central defenders behind four midfielders - including the full backs - and Adrian Bernabe just off a front three.

That movement in midfield bamboozles teams and led to a penalty when Leroy Sane latched onto Laporte's clipped ball after Wolves had been drawn out of their shape and suckered into midfield. Raheem Sterling blazed the spot kick over.

City's next breakout star?

Ian Carlo Poveda is not a name many will know a great deal about but seems to be developing into a real City specimen on the quiet.

The 19-year-old winger, formerly of Barcelona, Arsenal and Brentford, is more robust than last year and is learning the Guardiola basics well. That was evident a few times against Wolves, particularly when forcing defenders into mistakes while pressing in the final third. Sane should have scored as a result of one of Poveda's steals.

Poveda, forced off injured and replaced by 17-year-old Ben Knight, has a low centre of gravity and wants to bring others into play. If he doesn't go out on loan then it is expected he will be involved in the Carabao Cup more often.

Sterling shines as false nine

Guardiola liked what he saw from Sterling as a false nine, a position he will occupy if City are ever without both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.

The England international, with 31 goals last term, relies on impeccable positioning but is also explosive from deep. His early slinking through the Wolves defence drew a smile and raised eyebrows from his manager.

Sterling did have a handful of chances to score - including a missed penalty - before being withdrawn at half-time, but his overall game served as encouragement.