Chelsea 0 – 2 Man Metropolis

Enzo Maresca misplaced his first Premier League recreation in control of Chelsea as Manchester Metropolis beat them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, starting their newest title defence in fashion.

Man Metropolis’s superior high quality and recreation administration finally gained out in a battle between Pep Guardiola and one other coach previously underneath his tutelage.

It took simply 18 minutes for back-to-back Premier League Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland to open his account for the brand new season. He collected a move from Bernardo Silva – who survived a VAR examine for offside – earlier than bulldozing previous the Chelsea defence and firing house his 91st Man Metropolis purpose on his one hundredth membership look.

The Blues thought they’d equalised simply earlier than the break. Ederson uncharacteristically spilled Cole Palmer’s shot, with a lurking Nicolas Jackson netting the rebound. Nevertheless, VAR intervened and the purpose was dominated out for Jackson’s offside.

The second half noticed each side commerce blows and possibilities as spectacular debutant Pedro Neto offered a spark for Chelsea. Within the sixty fifth minute, Man Metropolis thought they’d added one other as Rico Lewis smashed house, however a foul from Haaland on Levi Colwill within the build-up dominated the purpose out.

One other Chelsea penalty attraction went unanswered quickly after as Malo Gusto’s try and ship the ball again into the realm hit Mateo Kovacic’s elbow. And the previous Chelsea midfielder confirmed his former facet what they had been lacking when he doubled their lead within the 84th minute.

After one other unfastened Chelsea midfield move, Kovacic cruised to the highest of the realm earlier than firing previous Robert Sanchez, who for his half ought to have executed higher. The Croatian didn’t have fun in opposition to his former facet, however helped his present one to all three factors, extending Man Metropolis’s unbeaten run to 24 Premier League video games.

And regardless of the defeat, Maresca was happy with what he had seen from his facet, telling Sky Sports activities: “I think we competed very well for much of the game. We were similar if not better.

“The efficiency was there however we did not take the possibilities. Most likely the large distinction was contained in the field. I am fairly pleased when it comes to efficiency… We do not wish to lose. We simply have to proceed.”

Neville: Chelsea lacked perception, however Maresca wants time

Sky Sports activities’ Gary Neville talking on the Gary Neville Podcast:

“It’s quite complicated and complex, I believe there is a nucleus of good, young players, good average age. There are things that happen at Chelsea that are obscure and bizarre – the long-term contracts, to this day I can’t get my head around. No one can tell me why the owners think that is the right strategy. I understand there is a financial engineering element to it too.

“They’ve modified supervisor once more, they’ve to provide him time. The rationale they’ve executed that’s as a result of they need this very clear identification and elegance of play. Maresca is one in all Pep’s disciples – he is received a great deal of them now – it is like Gordon Ramsey creating Michelin star cooks. Pep is producing Michelin star coaches.

“It will take time, there will be some pain. The demands he put on his players at Leicester, in terms of playing out from the back, I thought they were a bit more cautious today. It meant they were half in, half out. They lacked real belief.

“They have a stability challenge in midfield, I assumed Lavia was an actual optimistic, however the place Enzo (Fernandez) performs – he is not a pure No 10. He is not at his greatest in there. There are issues to do. The goalkeeper was a disappointment, Sanchez was nervy.

“There will be bigger fights down the road.”

Sterling ‘gaining readability’ on future at Chelsea

Raheem Sterling was omitted of Chelsea’s matchday squad, and in an announcement, stated he’s looking for additional readability on his future on the membership.

It learn: “Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years.

“He returned to England two weeks early to conduct particular person coaching, and has had a optimistic pre-season underneath the brand new coach, who he has developed working relationship with.

“He’s dedicated, as ever, to delivering on the highest stage for Chelsea and the followers, who he holds in excessive regard, and given his inclusion in official membership pre-match materials this week, our expectation was that Raheem could be concerned on this weekend’s fixture in some capability.

“As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.

“Till then, we are going to proceed to help Raheem’s want to begin the brand new season positively.”

From Chelsea’s perspective, it was a technical decision made by Maresca with full club support to leave Sterling out and that decision was communicated to the winger on Friday.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said: “I need Sterling however I need all of them. I am unable to have all of them so some must go away. Within the subsequent few days, we are going to see if we will make clear the scenario.”

And speaking to Sky Sports before the game, Maresca said: “The supervisor has to take selections that folks and gamers would not like – it is regular. We’ll see within the subsequent days.”

Maresca: We did not take our possibilities

Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca chatting with Sky Sports activities:

“For me, the important thing is to create chances. We didn’t score but we created chances. The first goal for them was almost offside, we almost scored. These things change results but the performance was good overall. It was quite clear, you can see a team trying to keep the ball and dominate.

“We had been in opposition to the champions immediately. We’ll proceed and win video games. They’re a grasp in this type of second. We had two or three possibilities. They’re a grasp of retaining maintain of the ball. The efficiency was there and that’s the major factor. You may see how they handle the ball.”

Pep: It is an honour to handle Man Metropolis

Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports activities:

“I didn’t expect it. We are away from our best so three points is the good news. The bad news is we have 65 games ahead of us.

“Now we have a bonus, it is our ninth season collectively so we all know one another nicely. In fact there are errors it’s important to enhance however we talked, the distinction in being champions was our physique language, how did we behave?

“It’s the bad moments in the season and in the games that define the big teams. For me, it is an honour to be in charge of these guys. I’m so fortunate, I could not say more.

“There’s a plan, defensive, offensive. However afterwards it is how we have fun the great moments and are available again from the dangerous moments.

“That’s what defines these teams and no one talks about it. For a while we could never win at Stamford Bridge. This is a big step.”

Evaluation: Defeat for Maresca – however had been there any positives?

Sky Sports activities’ Charlotte Marsh at Stamford Bridge:

“Without wanting to give too much away – yes, there were some. Maresca alluded to them in his post-match interview too.

“For those who have a look at the stats, they had been fairly shut. Chelsea had 48 per cent of the ball, in comparison with Man Metropolis’s 52, and had only one fewer shot than the Premier League champions.

“In fact, Chelsea ended the game with a higher xG (1.23) and had just three fewer touches in the opposition box.

“However that additionally maybe demonstrates the place the Blues are missing. There was an absence of medical edge, with Jackson clearly needing a refresh of the offside rule. The age-old challenge of Chelsea needing a constant No 9 as soon as once more reared its head.

“Midfield too was an issue. At times, the Blues were getting pulled apart and overrun in the middle, while errors and sloppy passes cost them for both goals.

“Manchester Metropolis weren’t good, however they actually had the sting each up entrance and in midfield. It was additionally a traditional case of managing the sport when forward, and it labored.

“We also saw some of Chelsea’s new summer signings, with Neto in particular looking exciting. But as more were introduced, the Blues looked slightly disjointed and like a squad which is yet to gel.

“It’s maybe telling that Maresca started the sport with no new signings within the XI, preferring to begin with gamers who have already got an understanding of each other.

“Ultimately, asking a continuously tumultuous Chelsea to beat the reigning Premier League champions on the opening day was a gargantuan task. There were some positives to take, but how they are developed going forward is now the key question.”

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