Enzo Maresca's first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea ended in disappointment as Manchester City emerged victorious with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic were the stars of the show, scoring fine goals to secure the three points for Pep Guardiola's side.
Erling Haaland wasted no time in making his mark on the new season, scoring his 91st Man City goal on his 100th club appearance. The Norwegian striker displayed his trademark power and precision as he bulldozed past the Chelsea defence and fired home a clinical finish to put City ahead.
Chelsea thought they had equalised just before half-time, but VAR intervened to rule out Nicolas Jackson's goal for offside. The technology also came into play to disallow a Man City goal due to a foul in the build-up, adding to the drama of the game.
Mateo Kovacic added insult to injury for Chelsea by doubling Man City's lead with a superb finish late in the second half. The former Chelsea midfielder showed his quality as he coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to seal the win for his current side, Here are some video highlights from the game:
Both sides had their chances in a lively second half, with impressive debutant Pedro Neto providing a spark for Chelsea. The Blues also had penalty appeals turned down, adding to their frustration in a game where things just didn't seem to go their way.
In the end, it was Manchester City's superior quality and game management that made the difference, as they got their title defence off to a winning start. Enzo Maresca will be disappointed to taste defeat in his first Premier League game, but there were positive signs for Chelsea despite the result. Haaland and Kovacic were the standout performers on the day, showcasing their talent and making a strong statement for the season