Raheem Sterling shines as false nine, Pep Guardiola evolves Manchester City's style, and Wolves ready for Euro tour... FIVE things we learned from the Premier League Asia Trophy final

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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. 

Wolverhampton Wanderers look in good shape after winning the Premier League Asia Trophy

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.

Kevin de Bruyne showed off his passing range in an excellent display for Manchester City

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.

Nuno Santos's side put on a solid defensive display against Manchester City

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 boss Pep Guardiola used the pre-season clash to experiment tactically 

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.

Ian Carlo Poveda impressed for City before being forced off with a minor injury 

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.

Despite missing a penalty Raheem Sterling looked dangerous in his first half display