Manchester City began their Premier League title defense with a commanding 2-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 18th minute, capitalizing on a pass from Bernardo Silva, and Mateo Kovacic sealed the victory with a late goal against his former club. Chelsea, under new head coach Enzo Maresca, showed moments of promise but were ultimately outclassed. Romeo Lavia was a standout player for Chelsea, impressing fans despite the loss, while Enzo Fernandez faced criticism for his performance. The match highlighted the gap between the two teams, posing significant challenges for Chelsea's new management.