Premier League 2024-25, Manchester City humble Chelsea 2-0: Key stats
Champions Manchester City started their Premier League title defense in style, bagging a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Erling Haaland opened Man City's scoring in the 18th minute with former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic making it 2-0 in the 84th minute. Chelsea's new manager Enzo Maresca saw his former eomployees spoil his debut competitive match for the Blues. Here's more.
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Haaland's goal the difference in the first half
Haaland's goal in the 18th minute was the difference in the first half. Man City did look in second gear but kept Chelsea at bay. The Blued did show some promise toward the end of the first half. Nicolas Jackson had a goal ruled out for offside after an Ederson howler. Earlier, it was Haaland who scored from a Bernardo Silva assist.
Here are the 1st half stats
Manchester City had three shots on target compared to Chelsea's one. The visitors had 0.59 expected goals to Chelsea's 0.38. Man City had 19 touches in the opposition box compared to the Blues' 13. Chelsea owned more possession. Notably, Haaland had only five touches.
Kovacic silences Chelsea
In the second half, Chelsea's new signing Pedro Neto, who came on as a substitute, dinked a cross in that was kept alive by Romeo Lavia. Jackson was on the turn from 10 yards out but couldn't beat Ederson. Man City then had a goal chalked off but were duly rewarded when Kovacic scored against his former side after some sloppy Chelsea work.
Here are the match stats
Manchester City had five shots on target compared to Chelsea's three. The visitors had 0.82 expected goals to Chelsea's 1.23. Man City had 29 touches in the opposition box compared to the Blues' 26. Man City owned more possession (52%).
10th successive win for Man City
Man City have won their opening Premier League match of the season in 13 of the last 14 occasions. Since drawing 0-0 against Arsenal in March, Man City have won 10 successive Premier League games. Notably, they have scored two at least in each of these wins. For the seventh time, Man City have clocked 10-plus successive wins in the Premier League.
64th Premier League goal for Haaland
Haaland scored his 64th goal in his 67th Premier League match. Haaland, who has won successive Premier League Golden Boot awards since joining the club two seasons ago from Borussia Dortmund. He scored 27 goals in 31 games last season to ensure his side finished above 2nd-placed Arsenal. Haaland had managed a record-breaking 36 goals in 2022-23.
Key numbers for Bernardo and Kovacic
Playing his 234th match, Bernardo clocked his 43rd assist. He also owns 39 goals. Former Chelsea ace Kovacic scored his 6th goal in the Premier League. He also owns 13 assists from 173 appearances.
Key feats attained by Man City
As per Squawka, Man City have gone 10 games unbeaten against Chelsea across all competitions for the first time in their history (W8, D2). Haaland has now scored 13 Premier League goals in the month of August since he joined Man City.
