Erling Haaland scored his 91st purpose in his a hundredth look for Manchester Metropolis on Sunday because the champions kicked off their Premier League title defence with a vigorous 2-0 away win over Chelsea.
The large Norwegian, fed by Bernardo Silva, pressured his manner between Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana and completed neatly previous Robert Sanchez within the 18th minute.
“Three factors, an ideal begin,” Haaland instructed Sky Sports activities.
“I knew precisely what to do, I feel it was a extremely good purpose. I keep in mind final 12 months he made a extremely good save towards me, it had been irritating me for a very long time so, yeah, it was an ideal purpose.”
Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic made certain of victory for the guests six minutes from time, racing by means of a disorganised Chelsea midfield and thumping the ball into Sanchez’s internet.
Metropolis, looking for a fifth title in a row, have been extra composed and cozy on the ball than Chelsea and regarded in management.
Sanchez was stored busy within the Chelsea purpose, saving from Haaland and Jeremy Doku, whereas Rico Lewis proved a continuing fear as he moved upfield.
“I didn’t count on it,” Guardiola instructed Sky. “We’re away from our greatest so three factors is the excellent news. The unhealthy information is we’ve 65 video games forward of us.
“We’ve a bonus, it’s our ninth season collectively so we all know one another properly.”
Chelsea, of their first Premier League outing below new supervisor Enzo Maresca, customary some hopeful attacking strikes, a well timed Ruben Dias intervention denying Nicolas Jackson within the 14th minute.
Jackson additionally had the ball within the internet earlier than being dominated offside late within the first half, whereas former Metropolis ahead Cole Palmer pressured a few regulation saves from Ederson and up to date signing Pedro Neto regarded busy when he got here on as a second-half substitute.
However it was clear Maresca, who labored alongside Pep Guardiola at Metropolis for a season earlier than main Leicester Metropolis to Premier League promotion final Could, has work to do together with his plentiful squad.
“The efficiency was there however we didn’t take the possibilities,” Maresca, whose beginning lineup included not one of the dozen or so gamers signed within the shut season, stated.
“Most likely the massive distinction was contained in the field. I’m fairly comfortable when it comes to efficiency.”
