Manchester City begins title defense with 2-0 win over Chelsea

Four-time consecutive Premier League champions Manchester City kicked off their title defense with a convincing 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, matching the winning records of rivals Arsenal and Liverpool.

Erling Haaland marked his 100th appearance for City by opening the scoring in the first half, notching his 91st goal for the club.

Shortly before halftime, Jeremy Doku nearly doubled the lead, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez made a crucial save to keep his team in the match.

Chelsea appeared to have equalized when Cole Palmer’s shot was parried by Ederson, and Nicolas Jackson’s follow-up was ruled out for offside.

In the second half, Rico Lewis thought he had extended City’s lead, but his powerful strike was disallowed for a foul on Levi Colwill.

Chelsea’s appealed for a penalty after Malo Gusto’s cross struck Mateo Kovacic’s arm was dismissed by VAR, upholding the referee’s decision.

Kovacic then secured the victory with a precise right-footed shot into the left corner of Chelsea’s net, six minutes from full time.

Despite Chelsea’s efforts under new manager Enzo Maresca, including Jackson’s disallowed goal, they couldn’t find a way back into the game.

City’s win places them among seven other teams with three points as the new Premier League season begins, while Chelsea remained just outside the bottom three.

Pep Guardiola’s squad, aiming for a record-extending fifth consecutive Premier League title, opened their 2024/25 campaign in stark contrast to last season’s dramatic 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.

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