Premier League champions Manchester City began their latest title defence in ideal fashion with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, as Enzo Maresca got off to a losing start in West London.
Prior to the touchline reunion between former colleagues Maresca and Pep Guardiola, the surprise omission of Raheem Sterling from the Chelsea squad dominated the pre-match discussion, leading to his representatives releasing a strongly-worded statement.
As Guardiola's former wing wizard watched on from home, the Citizens boss witnessed his current flankers - Jeremy Doku and in particular Savinho - cause Chelsea a handful of problems in the first half, where Erling Haaland got the champions off the mark for the new season.
While failing to add to their advantage in what remained of the first half, City largely kept their toothless hosts at arm's length, barring a disallowed goal for Nicolas Jackson on the stroke of the break after a howler from Ederson.
Without the omnipresent Rodri manning the midfield due to injury, the visitors lacked their usual level of control, as Chelsea threw on several of their summer signings in their desperate attempts for an equaliser.
Those names had little impact, though, as Chelsea unsuccessfully tried to pick the City lock, and Maresca was condemned to an opening defeat when erstwhile Blues midfielder Mateo Kovacic fired in from 20 yards in the dying embers.
There were many elements of Chelsea's performance for Maresca to take positives from, but as the Blues try to push through a deal for Napoli's Victor Osimhen, the need for a clinical finisher inside the box was more evident than ever.
Meanwhile, City did not dazzle and delight in the manner that many are used to seeing - which can be partly attributed to Rodri's absence and a lack of pre-season minutes for many stars - but they never looked under any serious threat of losing their grip on the lead and have now gone 10 games unbeaten against Chelsea for the first time ever.
CHELSEA VS. MAN CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Erling Haaland goal vs. Chelsea (18th min, Chelsea 0-1 Man City)
New season, same Haaland 🤷♂️
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
Man City take the lead at the Bridge! 💥 pic.twitter.com/3JuafuhioS
The Premier League champions are up and running for the new season, and there are no surprises whatsoever at who is on the scoresheet. The visitors play out from the back with ease and work it down the left through Doku, who fizzes a ball infield to Bernardo Silva.
The Portuguese playmaker gets the slightest of touches on the ball to prod it through to Haaland, who comfortably shrugs off Marc Cucurella and delicately dinks the ball over an onrushing Robert Sanchez.
Man City have to wait to celebrate properly as the VAR checks whether Silva's right foot was just offside, but he was being played on by Wesley Fofana, and the holders are ahead.
Nicolas Jackson disallowed goal vs. Man City (44th min, Chelsea 0-1 Man City)
Nicolas Jackson strokes home from close range but the goal is disallowed for offside ❌
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
Can Chelsea draw level? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/kHzd4OsdEq
Ederson is a very, very lucky man. The Brazilian should comfortably keep hold of a 20-yard Cole Palmer effort, but he spills the ball into the path of Jackson, who slots home the follow-up, However, the Senegalese striker had needlessly strayed offside when Palmer let fly, and City survive.
Rico Lewis disallowed goal vs. Chelsea (65th min, Chelsea 0-1 Man City)
© Imago
The travelling crowd briefly think that their side have doubled their lead as Rico Lewis thumps home from about eight years out, but Anthony Taylor's whistle blows straight away for a foul on Levi Colwill by Haaland, who is booked.
Mateo Kovacic goal vs. Chelsea (84th min, Chelsea 0-2 Man City)
Stunning from Mateo Kovačić! 😍
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
The Man City man punishes his former club! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Wxfx8aW0Tt
Man City have been far from their best in the second half, but a former Chelsea flame makes sure of the result for the visitors.
Fofana can only half-clear to Kovacic under pressure, and the Croatia international breezes past Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo as if they were not there before pulling the trigger from 20 yards.
Sanchez dives to his right and should seemingly parry the ball behind, but he can only palm Kovacic's strike into the side of the net as Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly takes his leave.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MATEO KOVACIC
© Reuters
A special mention must go to Chelsea's Romeo Lavia, who did not look one bit out of place in his long-awaited full debut for the Blues, but Mateo Kovacic ran the show for Man City against his old team.
The absence of Rodri no doubt had an impact on the Citizens' flow, but Kovacic eased any late nerves by surging through a weak Chelsea midfield, and he got his reward for having a crack, even if Sanchez should have done better.
In addition to his insurance goal, the dogged Croatian made six tackles and registered a pass accuracy of 97% in the English capital, helping to show that the champions can get the job done even when Rodri is not making the team tick.
CHELSEA VS. MAN CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 48%-52% Man City
Shots: Chelsea 10-11 Man City
Shots on target: Chelsea 3-5 Man City
Corners: Chelsea 4-3 Man City
Fouls: Chelsea 12-9 Man City
BEST STATS
13 - Since 2022-23, Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals in August (13) than Chelsea have managed as a team (11), as well as four more than rivals Man Utd (9). Ready. pic.twitter.com/eOeXuUI0VU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 18, 2024
106 - Erling Haaland has been directly involved in 106 goals in 100 appearances for Manchester City, with today's opener being his 91st goal for the club (along with 15 assists). Guarantee. pic.twitter.com/buGvSY9kwk
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 18, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea now turn their attention to Europa Conference League matters, hosting Swiss outfit Servette in the first leg of their qualifying playoff tie on Thursday, before travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the top flight three days later.
Meanwhile, Man City have five days to recuperate before they host newly-promoted Ipswich Town on August 24.
Ben Knapton
