Chelsea v Manchester City LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Mateo Kovacic scores stunner
Man City began their title defence with a confident victory at Stamford Bridge against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side
Erling Haaland scored his 91st goal in his 100th appearance for Manchester City on Sunday as the champions kicked off their Premier League title defence with a lively 2-0 away win over Chelsea.
The big Norwegian, fed by Bernardo Silva, forced his way between Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana and finished neatly past Robert Sanchez in the 18th minute.
Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic made sure of victory for the visitors six minutes from time, racing through a disorganised Chelsea midfield and thumping the ball into Sanchez’s net.
Chelsea, in their first Premier League outing under new manager Enzo Maresca, fashioned some hopeful attacking moves through Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and recent signing Pedro Neto but were largely outclassed by their more composed visitors.
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City
City’s other goalscorer, Erling Haaland, told Sky Sports that today was “three points, [and] a perfect start”.
“First games are always hard, for everyone, it doesn’t matter if you had a pre-season or not. I had a long pre-season but I don’t feel perfect, I’m not in the perfect state. It’s good to get that win.
On his goal, he says that he “knew exactly what to do, I think it was a really good goal”.
“I remember last year he made a really good save against me, it had been irritating me for a long time, so yeah, it was a perfect goal.
“The best players are the best on the easiest things. Touching it with your right and passing with your left. That’s the important thing. Pep [Guardiola] says this to me all the time.
“I want to get more involved, that’s what Pep wants. But in games like this, do I need to be that more involved? That’s the million-dollar question. I want to get more assists and become a better player.”
WATCH: Kovacic seals it for City
Here’s the second goal, courtesy of Mateo Kovacic.
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City
Manchester City goalscorer Mateo Kovacic spoke to Sky Sports first, and says that “it’s always tough when you miss big players”.
“I had a longer break so I could recover better, I wanted to be ready for the beginning of the season,” he adds, before stating that he played a hybrid version of Rodri’s usual role.
“I play today some kind of his role, but we are always missing Rodri because he is, if not the best player, one of the best in the world.
“I don’t score many goals and when you score you want to celebrate. But I have a huge respect for Chelsea, I spent five years here.
“I scored but that is not always the most important thing for me, the most important is winning.
“This team is so hungry and it’s a pleasure to be a part of it and win titles.”
Chelsea v Manchester City player ratings: Mateo Kovacic sparkles as Christopher Nkunku flounders
Manchester City comfortably saw off Chelsea in their opening Premier League game of the season at Stamford Bridge.
Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic scored the goals as City earned a 2-0 win against Enzo Maresca’s side.
And below is how the players rated:
Chelsea v Man City player ratings: Kovacic sparkles as Nkunku flounders
Manchester City were too good for Chelsea on the opening weekend of the season
Match stats
The possession was just 52 per cent in City’s favour, with Chelsea having 10 shots to City’s 11, and three on target to City’s five.
For those who prefer the xG measure, Chelsea actually ‘won’ on xG – 1.23 to City’s 0.82. That is the lowest expected goals measure that City have had this calendar year.
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City
So, a promising start for Enzo Maresca as his new look Chelsea side showed signs of attacking flair, invention and stability in parts of the match. Nevertheless, they eventually fell to City’s superior firepower, but they’ll take a few positives from today, and on another day they could’ve come away with a point.
For City, business continues as usual. The loss of Rodri gave them less stability than they usually have, especially in defence, and the attack lacked the final bit of quality on a couple of occasions, but they know they’ll likely iron those mistakes out within a few weeks.
Not a lot to take definitively, but an interesting opening match for both sides.
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City
FULL-TIME!
The referee brings the match to an end and City take three points in their season opener! Chelsea got close at times, but you need a finishing touch if you want to beat the champions.
Chelsea 0-2 Man City
95 mins
One of the last actions of the match as Fernandez unleashes a driven shot from outside the box, but it’s straight at Ederson.
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