10 hours ago
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There was a moment in the first half when Oscar Bobb collected the ball on the right corner of the penalty area, beat two men as he danced inside, then spun away from a third on a sixpence and beat the first two again before sending a delivery into the box.
Nothing came of it but this was Bobb at his brilliant best. He was a constant threat at Molineux having been handed a surprise start on the right.
His talent is unquestionable and 12 months ago he looked set for a breakthrough campaign before injury robbed him of his chance. This summer it seemed at one stage he might be more likely to leave than force his way into a crowded attacking line.
But Pep Guardiola handed him a spot in the side with Phil Foden not fit enough, Savinho sidelined and Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush on the bench.
Bobb didn’t disappoint.
His close control was excellent and there can’t be many Premier League players who are better in tight spaces. The 22-year-old is a willing runner, an adventurous attacker who was a key part of a new look City that enthralled in spells at Wolves.
Tijjani Reijnders stole the headlines with a sublime performance but Bobb wasn’t far behind and set the Dutch maestro up for his debut goal with a perfectly weighted pass and had a hand in City's third.
Bobb’s pace and poise was a winning combination and the words of his manager at full time should give the youngster hope of regular minutes this term amid a pledge to break quickly and with speed.
“It’s a weapon that we want to use this season to attack quicker than we did before,” said Guardiola, who namechecked Bobb as part of that plan.
It wasn’t just going forward either that Bobb caught the eye. He’s prepared to track back and work for the team and was a key point of the City press.
On an afternoon where there were positives aplenty, Bobb reminded everyone just how big a player he is and how bright a future he has.
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