Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a solid 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s squad, now undefeated in 24 Premier League matches, is on a mission to clinch their fifth consecutive league title, and they made a strong statement in their opening match of the 2024/25 season.
Erling Haaland, celebrating his 100th appearance for City, didn’t waste any time getting on the scoresheet. His 91st goal for the club came in the first half, setting the tone for the match. Chelsea had a moment of hope when Nicolas Jackson found the back of the net, but it was ruled out before halftime. Mateo Kovacic, facing his former club, sealed the deal for City with a stunning strike six minutes before the final whistle.
City’s win sees them join seven other teams on three points, while Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, are left just outside the relegation zone after a tough start to the season.
Match Highlights
Haaland didn’t take long to make an impact, scoring in the 18th minute after a clever setup from Bernardo Silva. Jeremy Doku nearly doubled the lead for City, but Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sanchez managed to recover and keep the ball out.
Just before the break, Chelsea thought they had equalized when Cole Palmer’s shot was parried by Ederson, and Jackson tapped it in. However, the goal was disallowed for offside, keeping City’s lead intact.
In the second half, City had a goal by Rico Lewis ruled out due to a foul by Haaland on Levi Colwill. Chelsea then appealed for a penalty when Malo Gusto’s cross hit Kovacic’s arm, but VAR confirmed that no penalty would be given. Kovacic later put the game to bed with a powerful run and a precise finish, ensuring City’s victory.
Maresca’s Challenge
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s new boss, has some tough decisions ahead. His first big move was to leave out Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling from the matchday squad. Sterling, who had been a regular in Premier League season openers for the past 11 years, was notably absent. Maresca, who previously led Leicester City to the Championship title, now faces the challenge of balancing a large squad while trying to find his best team.
Maresca brought on Pedro Neto, who made an immediate impact by setting up Enzo Fernandez for a header, but Chelsea struggled to break down City’s defense. Maresca will need to find answers quickly as Chelsea prepare for their next match against Wolves.
City’s Adaptability
With star midfielder Rodri out injured, there were questions about how City would cope. Youngster Rico Lewis stepped up, slotting in alongside Kovacic and allowing Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva to push forward. Silva was particularly effective, providing the assist for Haaland’s goal and nearly setting him up again in the second half.
Lewis also impressed defensively, clearing the ball when Neto threatened to score shortly after coming on. City’s ability to adapt, even without key players like Rodri, is a testament to Guardiola’s tactical nous.
Key Takeaways
- Manchester City has now won their opening Premier League encounter in 13 of the last 14 seasons, with the lone outlier being a 1-0 loss to Spurs in 2021/22.
- Erling Haaland continues to be a key player for City, scoring their first goal of the season for the third consecutive campaign.
- This win marks the first time City has won an away Premier League match without Rodri since February 2022.
As for Chelsea, their youthful starting XI, with an average age of just over 23 years, showed promise but lacked the cutting edge needed to challenge the defending champions. Maresca will need to find the right balance as he looks to get his team on track.
