Haaland strikes as City kick off Premier League in style

City began their championship defence with a 2-0 win against Chelsea, thanks to goals from Erling Haaland (our first scorer for the third consecutive season) and Mateo Kovacic (the game-winner).

This is the striker's third season, and in his 100th game for the club, he scored an incredible 91st goal in only 18 minutes.

 

As we started our quest for a record-extending fifth consecutive title with three points, he coolly nipped the ball past the charging Roberto Sanchez in a typically brutal finish.

 

In a thrilling finish, Kovacic scored a thundering goal against his old club after both teams had goals disallowed.

WHAT HAPPENED

Just over five weeks ago, England and Spain played in the European Championship final. Guardiola chose to wait to start all four City players for the Premier League match.

 

While Oscar Bobb was out with an injury after starting in our preseason victory against Chelsea in the US, Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Phil Foden were on the bench due to Rodrigo's lack of fitness.

 

Summer contract In his debut start for City, Savinho wasted no time getting into the action. Within the opening five minutes, a pass from Savinho set up Bernardo Silva, but Silva's attempt was blocked.

 

When Jeremy Doku moved to the right side of the field, the Brazilian took up position on the left. He was quickly embroiled in a battle with Marc Cucurella, who he cut inside into his left before shooting wide.

 

The Belgian's cutting in from the other side set up City's opening, and their versatility allowed them to switch wings.

 

After Bernardo Silva touched on his low pass inside, Haaland pounced and clipped the ball past Sanchez; the goal stood after a video assistant referee checked for offside.

 

Not long after, Savinho dipped in from the right side to set up Kevin De Bruyne, who unleashed a ferocious shot that sailed over Sanchez's post.

 

In the first half, our new number, 26, was all over the field. He dribbled past Cucurella to set up Mateo Kovacic, but Kovacic's effort was blocked. Meanwhile, Chelsea called for a penalty after a challenge on Enzo Fernandez.

 

At halftime, he was substituted out for Foden, who had only played a few minutes so far this season, after he had taken a knock during a fast break.

 

Fellow Just before halftime, Brazilian Ederson made his first significant save of the day, denying a goal by Nicolas Jackson, who was in the wrong place to score after converting a loose pass, thanks to Cole Palmer, a former Academy member.

 

Haaland and Bernardo combined again after the break, but Sanchez was able to clear his shot as City maintained their dominance.

 

Newest player to join Chelsea. In an effort to jolt the home team, Pedro Neto entered the game shortly before the hour, and Rico Lewis had to be quick on his feet to block a cross from the far post inside the first sixty seconds.

 

The Portuguese forward gave the home team a much-needed boost with a cross that Fernandez sent hurtling goalwards. The ball finally reached Jackson, who made an instant volley, but Ederson made a fantastic save.

 

Just after Lewis had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was rightfully disallowed due to a foul by Haaland in the build-up, Enzo Maresca, who had previously assisted Guardiola, made two further substitutions in an attempt to save the match.

 

Despite our best efforts, City posed a threat, and De Bruyne missed the target from the edge of the box as we regained possession and neutralized the home team's danger.

 

In the end, it was Kovacic who made sure there was no comeback; his superb 20-yard strike sent Sanchez tumbling as it trickled across the line.

TEAMS

Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer, Nkunku (Neto 59), Jackson (Guiu 67), Cucurella (Veiga 80), Lavia (Dewsbury-Hall 67), Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, and Sanchez (Chelsea).

 

Subs not used: Jorgensen, Badiashile, Adarabioyo, Madueke, Mudryk

 

CITY: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Doku, Savinho (Foden 46), Haaland

 

Subs not used: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Stones, Ake, Grealish, Nunes, O'Reilly, McAtee

MAN OF THE MATCH

The Spanish midfielder Rodrigo had lofty shoes to fill after establishing himself as a Ballon d'Or candidate in the summer of 2024 when his team won the EURO.

 

Since Guardiola wanted to give his players a break after another lengthy season, he rested the midfielder. Kovacic did a fantastic job in his holding position. 

 

Reading the game and stifling any home threat, he did an excellent job of keeping City humming despite the presence of several big players on both sides of the field.

 

His outstanding play was crowned with a spectacular goal that secured all three points.

RICO RULES

It would be easy to overlook Rico Lewis's youth, given his footballing understanding and extensive experience.

 

The Englishman was outstanding defensively, putting an end to the dangerous Christopher Nkunku's major threat.

 

Neto came on after the Chelsea winger failed to find a way through. He had a tremendous game in Wolves' early-season victory against City, but Lewis was quick to react to his threat.

 

At the end of the game, Guardiola gushed about his performance because he was so fast in engaging in assaults, whether it was a raid down the right wing or a move into midfield.

PEP GUARDIOLA REACTION

"That was unexpected. The good news is that we have three points despite being far from our best. Unfortunately, we still have 65 games to go.

 

We are in our eighth season together, and we know each other well, which gives us an edge. While it's true that you can always do better, we discussed how our body language and overall conduct made all the difference in our status as champions.

 

"The major clubs are defined by their poor times in the season and games. Being in charge of these individuals is an honour for me. I am at a loss for words; I am so lucky.

 

"Offense and defence are part of the strategy. However, it is in the aftermath that we commemorate the positive times and recover from the negative ones.

 

That is the defining characteristic of these teams, yet nobody ever mentions it. At Stamford Bridge, we struggled for a while to come out on top. A giant leap forward.

WHAT IT MEANS

City has won its initial Premier League games in thirteen of the previous fourteen seasons, so it is another outstanding start to the season. However, it's too early to consider the implications of the championship battle.

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