Erling Haaland netted his 91st goal in just 100 appearances for Manchester City on Sunday as the reigning champions began their Premier League title defense with a solid 2-0 away victory over Chelsea.
The Norwegian striker, set up by Bernardo Silva, broke through between defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana to slot the ball past Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in the 18th minute.
Mateo Kovacic, a former Chelsea player, sealed the win for Manchester City with a goal six minutes from time, charging through a disorganized Chelsea midfield and striking the ball into the net.
Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea attempted several promising attacking plays through players like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and new signing Pedro Neto but ultimately struggled to match the composure of their visitors.
At Stamford Bridge, City fielded a strong side, with notable players including Ederson, Rico Lewis, and Kevin De Bruyne. Chelsea’s lineup featured Sanchez, Malo Gusto, and Enzo Fernandez.
Haaland remarked on the victory, saying it was a “perfect start,” emphasizing the challenge of the first match of the season irrespective of pre-season preparations. He credited his goal as a well-executed play, also acknowledging that he wanted to contribute more in terms of assists.
Kovacic commented on the game’s difficulty, noting the absence of key players and expressing his respect for Chelsea, where he had spent five years. He emphasized the importance of team success over individual achievements.
The match statistics highlighted a relatively balanced game, with Chelsea having a slight edge in shots but failing to outscore City. Despite the loss, Chelsea showed signs of progress under their new manager, while Manchester City looked as dominant as ever, confirming their status as title contenders this season.