Manchester City kicked off their Premier League title defense with a convincing 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, marking a tough debut for Chelsea's new manager Enzo Maresca. Erling Haaland scored the opener in the first half during his 100th appearance for the club, while Mateo Kovacic, a former Chelsea player, sealed the win with a late goal. Despite Chelsea showing signs of improvement and threatening to equalize, including a disallowed goal, they struggled with finishing, reflecting issues from last season. Maresca emphasized the need for time to build a competitive squad, noting the challenges of managing a bloated roster after a significant summer spending spree. The defeat leaves Chelsea 28 points behind City from the previous season, underscoring the gap they must close to challenge for the title. The match highlighted City's resilience even with key players absent, as they maintained control throughout the game.