News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/19th August 2024
Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a decisive 2-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The match, which marked the beginning of the 2024-25 Premier League season, saw City’s star forward Erling Haaland and midfielder Mateo Kovacic secure the victory with their goals.
From the outset, Manchester City showcased their dominance, with Haaland scoring the opening goal in the 18th minute. The Norwegian striker capitalized on a precise assist from Bernardo Silva, finishing smartly from close range to give City an early lead. Despite Chelsea’s attempts to equalize, including a disallowed goal by Nicolas Jackson just before the halftime whistle, the Blues struggled to find their rhythm.
As Chelsea, now under the management of Enzo Maresca, sought to respond, their efforts were thwarted by City’s resolute defense and tactical prowess. The disallowed goal by Jackson was a particularly frustrating moment for Chelsea, as it was ruled offside, denying them a potential equalizer that could have changed the course of the match.
In the final stages of the game, Mateo Kovacic added a second goal for Manchester City in the 84th minute. The Croatian international struck from outside the penalty area, sealing the win with a well-placed shot that left Chelsea with little chance to recover.
Chelsea’s squad was notably missing Raheem Sterling, which may have affected their attacking options. The absence of Sterling, combined with the solid performance by Manchester City’s defense, meant that Chelsea struggled to break down their opponents and create clear scoring opportunities.
As the game concluded, Manchester City’s victory solidified their strong start to the season, demonstrating their readiness to defend their Premier League title. Chelsea, on the other hand, faces the challenge of regrouping and adjusting under their new manager as they look to bounce back from this defeat.
The win for Manchester City sets a positive tone for their campaign, while Chelsea will need to address their shortcomings and find their form to compete effectively in the league. With the season just beginning, both teams have plenty of time to make their mark, but this opening match has already shown the competitive nature of the Premier League.
