JACK GREALISH took just 55 seconds to fire Manchester City into an early lead at Wolves this afternoon.
The England ace has come under fire of late, but offered the perfect response to his critics.
Phil Foden’s stunning backheel freed up Kevin De Bruyne on the right flank, with the Belgian whipping in a trademark cross.
Grealish, who has been included in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, was on hand to prod home beyond home goalkeeper Jose Sa.
The 27-year-old was subsequently mobbed by delighted team-mates Rodri and Bernardo Silva.
Grealish’s strike was his first of the season and just his seventh in 45 outings since making his £100million switch from Aston Villa.
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Amid criticism of his big-money buy in mid-week, boss Pep Guardiola backed his man to shine at the Etihad.
He said: “I want him to make goals and I want him to make assists and he does too.
“But it’s not about that, it’s about his contribution without the ball and what he can produce for the other ones and the many, many things that he’s able to do.
“Always I say to them: ‘You know exactly how you played, what we were looking for, what was the plan of the game, if it works or didn’t work’.
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“Now, you play it back, but did they know the plan, if it was wrong or positive – they don’t know it, but you know it, so you don’t have to listen to what people say, whether you played good or bad.
“You know, and every one of us knows if you did your best on this specific day.”
Grealish himself admitted that he is determined to improve his form this season.
He told City’s website: “I started quite well in pre-season, started the first game of the season which we won away at West Ham.
“In the second game I obviously got injured and I have been injured since last week. I have come back and played a few Champions League games.
“I felt like I could have done better in both of them, but I am still trying to catch up on my fitness.
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“I have been injured for a fair bit at the start of the season which wasn’t ideal, but now I am just looking forward, trying to get fit and trying to get my form back.
“Last year I was settling in, but now I want to start performing the way that got me the move here. I did at times last season, maybe not consistent enough and that is something I can improve on this year and hopefully that pays off.”
