Manchester City made a strong start to their Premier League title defense with a convincing 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic were the scorers for the reigning champions.
Haaland, marking his 100th appearance for City, opened the scoring in the 18th minute, notching his 91st goal for the club. Kovacic doubled the lead in the 84th minute, a moment of particular significance for the former Chelsea midfielder who opted against celebrating.
Despite missing key players like John Stones, Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, and Rodri, City controlled the game. Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, struggled to create clear-cut chances and were unable to find a way back into the match.
The Blues’ squad underwent significant changes over the summer, with some high-profile departures. The absence of experienced players like Raheem Sterling was evident as Chelsea failed to pose a serious threat to City’s dominance.
