EPL: Haaland, Kovacic score as City beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea started with a 2-0 defeat against reigning champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

The match began evenly, with both sides, featuring numerous changes, cautiously testing each other. Wesley Fofana missed a chance from a corner, while Jeremy Doku’s left-footed shot went wide.

However, in classic Manchester City style, Pep Guardiola’s side scored with their first shot on target. Erling Haaland capitalized on a loose ball, held off two defenders, and chipped it over Robert Sanchez for his 91st goal for City.

Kevin De Bruyne nearly doubled the lead as City began to dominate the midfield, putting Chelsea on the back foot.

Chelsea started to show signs of life in the final third, though Enzo Fernandez squandered a couple of opportunities. Just before halftime, they thought they had equalized when Ederson spilled a Cole Palmer shot into Nicolas Jackson’s path, who scored, only for the offside flag to disallow the goal, leaving them behind at the break.

Pep Guardiola substituted debutant Savinho with Phil Foden at halftime. City seemed more likely to score again, with Haaland’s effort being saved by Sanchez.

Maresca brought on new signing Pedro Neto just before the hour mark, and he nearly scored, but Rico Lewis’s excellent clearance denied him.

Chelsea kept pushing for an equalizer, with Nicolas Jackson’s snapshot saved by Ederson. City believed they had doubled their lead when Rico Lewis scored, but a foul by Haaland in the buildup led to the goal being disallowed, making it one goal ruled out for each side.

Chelsea continued to hold their own entering the final 10 minutes, delivering a strong performance against the champions.

In the dying moments, former Chelsea player Mateo Kovacic dribbled past Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo before scoring past Sanchez, sealing Maresca’s defeat.