In a thrilling encounter at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory against Chelsea, marking Pep Guardiola’s strong start to the season with two wins over his former assistant, Enzo Maresca, already in the Premier League.
The match began with an unexpected twist as Noni Madueke capitalized on a mistake from Man City debutant Abdukodir Khusanov to put Chelsea ahead just three minutes in. However, the hosts quickly regrouped, and Josko Gvardiol found the equalizer in the 42nd minute, slotting in a rebound after Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made an initial save on a Matheus Nunes shot.
The tides turned in the second half when Erling Haaland scored in the 68th minute, lifting the ball over Sanchez after the keeper’s overly ambitious venture off his line gave Haaland the opportunity. Finally, Phil Foden sealed the win for City with a well-taken goal in the 87th minute, benefiting from Haaland’s strong hold-up play.
This victory not only extends Manchester City’s strong form in the Premier League but also emphasizes Guardiola’s tactical acumen and the team’s depth as they aim to defend their title this season. The defeat puts Chelsea in a challenging position as they look to bounce back against the league’s top teams.
Overall, Manchester City’s performance exemplifies their resilience and their ability to come back from an early setback. Looking ahead, they appear poised to maintain their dominance in the league.