Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a hard-fought victory at Stamford Bridge, edging past Chelsea in a tightly contested match.
City took an early lead in a thrilling first half when Savinho, in his debut, set up Erling Haaland with a perfectly weighted pass. Bernardo Silva got a touch on it, allowing Haaland to glide past Marc Cucurella and delicately chip the ball over Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez. This goal marked Haaland’s 91st strike for the club in just his 100th appearance.
Chelsea came close to leveling before the break when Ederson fumbled a shot, giving Nicolas Jackson a chance, but the offside flag spared City’s blushes.
In the second half, the match remained tense, with fewer clear-cut opportunities. Haaland tested Sanchez again, but the Chelsea keeper was equal to the challenge. On the other end, Rico Lewis was heroic, clearing the ball off the line while crashing into the post, preventing a certain Chelsea equalizer.
City sealed the win late on with a superb strike from Mateo Kovacic, who found the net with a powerful shot to ensure Guardiola’s side started their season with a vital three points.
Player Ratings:
Ederson: Almost gifted Chelsea a goal with a spill but redeemed himself with a stunning save later on. Rating: 6
Rico Lewis: Impressive at right-back, winning battles with Christopher Nkunku and making a crucial goal-line clearance. Deserves his spot in the starting XI. Rating: 8
Ruben Dias: Looked as sharp as ever, providing a solid defensive presence throughout the match. Rating: 7
Manuel Akanji: Confident and composed, building on his form from Wembley. Rating: 6
Josko Gvardiol: Showed some nerves in possession but contributed significantly in pushing the team forward. Rating: 6
Mateo Kovacic: Stepped up in Rodri’s absence, doing the dirty work and capping his performance with a fantastic goal. Rating: 8
Bernardo Silva: Provided the assist for Haaland’s opener, showcasing his versatility and reliability in various roles. Rating: 7
Kevin De Bruyne: Played a roaming attacking role, constantly involved in City’s play. Rating: 6
Savinho: Made a promising start, assisting in the first goal before an injury ended his debut early. Rating: 7
Jeremy Doku: Looked more comfortable on the left wing, with a few moments of brilliance, though his final delivery needs work. Rating: 6
Erling Haaland: Marked his milestone appearance with a clinical finish, proving once again why he’s City’s go-to man. Rating: 7
SUBS:
Phil Foden (on 45): Quiet return to action, but plenty of time to get back to his best this season. Rating: 6
