Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a solid 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, setting the tone for what could be another dominant season under Pep Guardiola.
As the Premier League returned, familiar scenes unfolded: the sun was shining, Chelsea fielded a lineup with a few surprising names, and Erling Haaland found the back of the net. A day after Mohamed Salah set a record for most goals scored on opening days, Haaland hinted that he might be chasing down that record himself. With five goals in just three opening-day games, the Norwegian striker seems poised for another record-breaking season.
On the field, City looked every bit the champions, navigating a challenging away fixture with poise and putting to rest any doubts about their ability to compete without key players like Rodri. The match raised several questions before kickoff—City’s struggles against top-six opponents last season, Haaland’s dip in form late in the previous campaign, and how the team would cope without their midfield anchor, Rodri—but City answered them all emphatically.
At full-time, Guardiola rallied his squad, leading them to the away fans with a passionate display that hinted at the hunger still driving this team. Any concerns that City might be complacent after four consecutive titles were quickly dispelled. As the squad embraced each other and celebrated with the fans, it was clear that they are as determined as ever to make history.
City started the game with three of their England stars on the bench, and all eyes were on how they would fare without Rodri. Stepping into the void, Mateo Kovacic delivered a performance that was a vast improvement from his struggles in North London last October. His composure in midfield was critical, and his late goal put the icing on the cake, giving City a template for future success without their midfield maestro.
Guardiola, dressed in all-black and exuding authority, looked every bit the mastermind as he directed his team from the touchline. In contrast, Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, still seemed to be familiarizing himself with his squad. Guardiola’s influence was evident in the game’s opening goal. Savinho, City’s exciting new signing, played a pass to Bernardo Silva, who brilliantly flicked it into Haaland’s path. The Norwegian striker didn’t disappoint, marking his 100th appearance for City with his 91st goal, a remarkable achievement that underscores his importance to the team.
City controlled the first half with ease, a stark contrast to last season’s chaotic 4-4 draw at the same venue. Guardiola’s side was disciplined, with players like Jeremy Doku and Savinho creating opportunities on the wings. However, Savinho’s debut was cut short after he picked up a knock, forcing him to leave the field at halftime.
In the second half, Chelsea introduced several debutants, each making their way onto the pitch like models on a catwalk, but it was City’s tried-and-tested players who continued to dominate. Rico Lewis, playing at right-back, delivered an outstanding performance, shutting down Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku and later denying Pedro Neto a clear scoring opportunity with superb defensive awareness. Lewis even had a goal disallowed due to a foul by Haaland in the buildup.
Haaland could have added to his tally but was denied by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The game was put to bed late on when Kovacic, filling in for Rodri, glided past Moises Caicedo and fired a 20-yard strike into the net, sealing the victory and ensuring City started their title defense on the right foot.
