Manchester City, the four-time reigning English champion, launched the winning machine from the start of the second half, Sunday August 18 at Chelsea (2-0), and spoiled Enzo Maresca’s first appearance on the bench of the “Blues”, still in the running-in phase.
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The “Citizens” join the leading pack made up of Brighton, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, who also won without conceding a goal, while awaiting Tottenham’s trip to Leicester on Monday evening, August 19.
Chelsea held their own against Pep Guardiola’s armada for most of the match but were beaten by goals scored at the start and end of the game. Erling Haaland, the top scorer of the previous two seasons in the Premier League, controlled a cross from Jeremy Doku, resisted the defense and deceived Robert Sanchez with a little chipped ball from the left (18th, 1-0).
Mateo Kovacic, a former Stamford Bridge player, made his former supporters rumble after a personal raid concluded with a strike (84th, 2-0), without celebrating. In the meantime, Chelsea chained together some well-felt collective actions, sometimes, but was often punished by its own clumsiness and by refereeing decisions that the players strongly contested.
Fofana holder
Centre forward Nicolas Jackson scored from a shot released by Ederson, but he was offside (45th), and his pivot shot was pushed away by the goalkeeper (61st). Midfielder Enzo Fernandez, named captain in the absence of Reece James, claimed a penalty (33rd, 45th+4), Christopher Nkunku too (45th+6), but the referee did not flinch.
Against ““probably the best team in the world, we were on par for a large part of the game and at times we were even better”retained Maresca. For his debut, the Italian started two other Frenchmen with Malo Gusto and the former long-term injured Wesley Fofana, not seen in the Premier League since May 28, 2023.
There was no place in the squad, however, for Raheem Sterling, a move his representatives protested, seeing it as pressure to leave.I want to (keep) Raheem Sterling, but I also want the 30 players we have. But there is not room for all of them. So for some, they have to go.”Maresca replied in the post-match conference.
The former Leicester manager, however, gave minutes to three new signings, namely Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who were brought on in the second half to try to avoid defeat.
Guardiola pleasantly”surprised”
Guardiola started Savinho, who arrived at City this summer, but he had to replace the 20-year-old Brazilian winger at half-time, who suffered a right leg injury at the end of the first half. The coach said he was pleased “surprised” by the “performance level” of his team, however, deprived of Rodri, who was rested, and the English internationals (Walker, Stones, Foden), on the bench at kick-off.
“The good news is the first three points. The bad news is that we have 70 games left to play,” he qualified, in reference to the overloaded schedule that awaits his team this season.
Earlier in the afternoon, Brentford won the first London derby of the season against Crystal Palace (2-1), late on and quite happily.
Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring for the “Bees” (29th, 1-0) three minutes after a sublime goal from a direct free kick by Eberechi Eze, disallowed by the referee for a prior foul by a Crystal Palace player.
Having been tied before the hour mark (56th, 1-1), they regained the advantage when Dean Henderson, the visitors’ goalkeeper, pushed a ball into the feet of Yoane Wissa (76th, 2-1).
Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta, Olympic runner-up this summer, started for Palace but was replaced at half-time. Brentford preferred to do without their star striker, Ivan Toney, who is being courted by Saudi clubs according to the press.
AFP/VNA/CVN
