Manchester City 2: (Erling Haaland 18′, Mateo Kovacic 84′)
Chelsea 0
Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City began their 24/25 season with a 2-nil win at Stamford Bridge. It was a polished display from Pep Guardiola’s side as they successfully navigated a tricky opening-day fixture. Here are the City player ratings and a brief match report from City’s impressive opening-day win.
First half
Manchester City’s Premier League season kicked off in the London sunshine at Stamford Bridge. Both teams made bright starts to the game as they both tried to impose their brand of football on the other. It was clear in the early stages that Chelsea under Enzo Maresca are determined to play in a similar style to Pep Guardiola’s all conquering side.
After an even first ten minutes, the Premier League champions began to impose their will on the game. They would hit the lead in the 18th minute as Erling Haaland gave Manchester City the lead. A well-worked move saw Jeremy Doku slide in a pass from the left wing into the area. Bernardo Silva got in the tidiest of touches to play in Erling Haaland. City’s number 9 marked his 100th game for Manchester City with a goal as he expertly tucked away his first chance of the 24/25 season over Robert Sanchez.
City could’ve doubled their lead minutes later. Another well-constructed move saw Kevin De Bruyne shoot from the edge of the area. But his effort went just wide of the post as City pressed for a second.
Chelsea came into the game after the first half-hour. As Manchester City looked to be tiring they began to press the champions into mistakes. Their best chance fell to Cole Palmer in the 44th minute. The ex-City player curled his effort straight at Ederson. But City’s number-one keeper spilled a straightforward effort into the path of Nicolas Jackson who fired home. But fortunately for Manchester City, the flag went up to rule the goal out for offside. At the break, Manchester City went in with a 1-nil lead after an entertaining first half.
Second half
Manchester City began the second half by keeping possession to take the sting out of Chelsea’s tail. City’s tactics had the desired effect as they began to control proceedings. The champions almost doubled their lead minutes after halftime but Erling Haaland’s rasping shot was well saved by Robert Sanchez.
The game then set into a pattern after City’s early second half spell of possession dominance. Manchester City would dominate possession and the tempo of the game while Chelsea would occasionally get their own spells of pressure. Chelsea’s best chance of the game came in the 61st minute and it fell to Nicolas Jackson. Bclose-rangee range effort was instinctively saved Ederson.
The champions would put the game to bed in the 84th minute. As both sides began to tire in the heat Mateo Kovacic capped his man-of-the-match display with a fine goal. He made a surging run from midfield and fired home from the edge of the area to secure all three points for Manchester City.
The remaining of the game would pass without incident as Manchester City began the 24/25 season with an impressive 2-nil win.
FULL-TIME | An opening day win at Stamford Bridge! 💪
🔵 0-2 🩵 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/wxtEoniXkb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 18, 2024
City player ratings
Ederson- 6.5/10: He was cool in possession but made one error in the first half. He made a superb save on the hour mark to preserve City’s 1-nil lead.
Rico Lewis-8.5/10: An outstanding display from Lewis. He would’ve been City’s man-of-the-match if not for the performance of Mateo Kovacic. Looks set for a big season.
Manuel Akanji-7/10: A professional performance from Akanji. Did what he had to do with minimal fuss.
Ruben Dias-7.5/10: He carried his strong showing from the Community Shield into today’s game. Some crucial blocks and a fantastic display from Dias.
Josko Gvardiol-6.5/ 10: Not at his best today. He defended well at times but not as smooth in possession as he usually is.
Mateo Kovacic-9/10: The best compliment to pay Kovacic was that was a Rodri-esque performance. His goal was a fine reward for a fantastic all around display. Kovacic was by far the most dominant midfielder on the pitch.
Kevin De Bruyne-6.5/10: Had several good chances but his radar was unusually off. He looks to be one of several City players who will build into the season.
Bernardo Silva-7.5/10: He picked up an assist with a sublime touch for Haaland’s opener. Another professional performance from Bernardo.
Jeremy Doku-7/10: He can be City’s most dangerous and most frustrating player in the same game. Today was the perfect encapsulation of that. He was dangerous but his end product wasn’t there. But to his credit he was always a threat to Chelsea.
Savinho-7/10: A lively debut in his first start for Manchester City. He was more dangerous on City’s right-hand side rather than the left and he gave Marc Cucurella a torrid time. Unfortunately he had to be replaced at halftime after suffering an injury late in the first half.
Erling Haaland-7.5/10: Haaland looks set for a big season. A superb finish for City’s opener and he was always a threat.
Substitutes
Phil Foden-6/10: He didn’t have a major impact after coming on at halftime. He will be better for the run after a long summer.
