City cruise past Chelsea as Haaland and Kovacic shine

In a good display of football, Manchester City began their Premier League title defense with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, wasted no time establishing dominance in the game. Right from the whistle, City’s attacking prowess was evident.

The new signing Savinho, making his debut, showed promise with his skillful touches and a clever pass to Bernardo Silva, who unfortunately missed the target.

City’s relentless pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Erling Haaland continued his impressive opening-day streak. The Norwegian striker found the net with a precise finish, marking his third consecutive season scoring on the opening weekend since joining City. “We know Haaland is a fantastic player, and he showed why today,” Guardiola commented post-match.

Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca in his first game as manager, struggled to assert control early on. The home side was initially stifled and failed to make significant headway against City’s defense.

They did have a goal ruled out for offside just before halftime, which could have turned the tide in their favor. Despite their efforts, Chelsea’s attacking options were limited, and they failed to create substantial chances throughout the match.

The game was sealed in the 84th minute when Mateo Kovacic, who played for Chelsea until 2023, scored against his former club. The Croatian midfielder unleashed a powerful shot from distance that left Chelsea’s goalkeeper with no chance.

“It feels special to score against my old team, but more importantly, it’s a great start to our season,” Kovacic said after the match.

Guardiola expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, saying, “We adapted well without Rodri and showed our strength. This is the perfect way to start our title defense.”

Manchester City’s victory not only gives them an early advantage in the title race but also sets a high standard for the season ahead. Meanwhile, Chelsea will need to regroup and address their challenges as they move forward under their new manager.