Manchester City kicked off their quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League title by securing a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, spoiling Enzo Maresca’s debut as Chelsea's head coach.
Key Moments:
Erling Haaland: The Norwegian striker continued his trend of scoring on the opening weekend for the third consecutive season, giving City the lead in the first half. A deft touch from Bernardo Silva set up Haaland, who then powered through Chelsea's defense and finished confidently past Robert Sanchez.
Mateo Kovacic: Returning to face his former club, Kovacic added City's second goal late in the match. His strike, which Sanchez failed to keep out with a weak attempt, capped off a disappointing day for Chelsea fans, many of whom were seen leaving the stadium early.
Chelsea's Struggles: Chelsea, despite significant spending in the transfer window and a fresh start under Maresca, looked disjointed and lacked urgency. The absence of Conor Gallagher, who was training separately due to a stalled move to Atletico Madrid, left a void in midfield. Enzo Fernandez, playing in a more advanced role, had little impact on the game.
City dominated the match, with Sanchez making several saves to keep Chelsea in contention, including a standout one-handed stop to deny Jeremy Doku. However, Chelsea's best chance, a rebound effort by Nicolas Jackson, was disallowed for offside.
As the match wore on, City's quality shone through, while Chelsea's efforts were largely ineffective. Kovacic's goal six minutes from time sealed the win, leaving Chelsea with familiar frustrations despite the arrival of their new manager.
Conclusion: Manchester City's strong start signals their intent to maintain their dominance in the Premier League, while Chelsea's performance suggests that Maresca faces a challenging task to rebuild and compete at the top level.
Source: Livescores