Premier League 2024-25: Man City begins title defence with 2-1 win against Chelsea; Haaland, Kovacic score

Haaland, fed by Bernardo Silva, forced his way between Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana and finished neatly past Robert Sanchez in the 18th minute.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, left, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, England, Sunday, Aug, 18, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP

Erling Haaland scored his 91st goal in his 100th appearance for Manchester City on Sunday as the champion kicked off its 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.

“Three points, a perfect start,” Haaland told Sky Sports.

“I 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.”

AS IT HAPPENED: Chelsea vs Manchester City HIGHLIGHTS

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.

City, seeking a fifth title in a row, was more composed and comfortable on the ball than Chelsea and looked in control.

Sanchez was kept busy in the Chelsea goal, saving from Haaland and Jeremy Doku, while Rico Lewis proved a constant worry as he moved upfield.

“I didn’t expect it,” Guardiola told Sky. “We are away from our best so three points is the good news. The bad news is we have 65 games ahead of us.

“We have an advantage, it’s our ninth season together so we know each other well.”

Chelsea, in its first Premier League outing under new manager Enzo Maresca, fashioned some hopeful attacking moves, with a timely Ruben Dias intervention denying Nicolas Jackson in the 14th minute.

Jackson also had the ball in the net before being ruled offside late in the first half, while former City forward Cole Palmer forced a couple of regulation saves from Ederson and recent signing Pedro Neto looked busy when he came on as a second-half substitute.

But it was clear Maresca, who worked alongside Pep Guardiola at City for a season before leading Leicester City to Premier League promotion last May, has work to do with his plentiful squad.

“The performance was there but we didn’t take the chances,” Maresca, whose starting lineup included none of the dozen or so players signed in the close season, said.

“Probably the big difference was inside the box. I’m quite happy in terms of performance.”