Erling Haaland netted his 91st goal in just his 100th appearance for Manchester City as the Premier League champions began their title defense with a convincing 2-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday.
The Norwegian forward found the net in the 18th minute after receiving a pass from Bernardo Silva, skillfully maneuvering between Chelsea defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana before finishing past Robert Sanchez.
Mateo Kovacic, playing against his former club, secured the win for City with another goal six minutes before full time, powering through Chelsea’s disorganized midfield and striking the ball into the net.
Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea attempted to push forward and create chances, with players like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson making efforts, but they were largely outmatched by City’s composure and attacking prowess.
Following the match, Haaland reflected on the game, stating, “First games are always hard… but it’s good to get that win.” He expressed his contentment with his goal, which he noted was a satisfying revenge for a previous save made against him by Sanchez last season.
Kovacic, speaking on his goal, shared his respect for his former team and emphasized the importance of winning over individual accomplishments. He noted that the team is eager to succeed this season and that he feels fortunate to be part of a hungry squad.
Despite Chelsea’s promising attacking flair and their attempts to integrate new signings, they struggled for consistency and ultimately fell short against City’s established tactical strength. The defeat marks a continued challenging spell for Chelsea, who have not beaten City in their last six Premier League meetings.
As the match concluded, City celebrated a solid start to their campaign while Chelsea look for ways to bounce back and close the gap with the top teams in the league.