Manchester City began their latest title defence with a comfortable win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Erling Haaland scored in the first half to open his account for the new season, while former Chelsea man Mateo Kovacic scored towards the end against his former team.
It was Pep Guardiola against one of his former pupils, Enzo Maresca, and the master prevailed over the pupil in Maresca’s first Premier League game as a manager.
The upcoming fixtures look a little more favourable for Chelsea, though, while victory for City meant they got three points on the board early on to draw level with last season’s closest rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
Mail Sport’s SAMI MOKBEL gives his ratings of the Stamford Bridge players after Chelsea got off to a losing start under Maresca.
Manchester City started the Premier League season with a win by beating Chelsea
Pep Guardiola’s team are looking to win the top flight title again and secure their fifth consecutive title
Enzo Maresca (right), meanwhile, suffered defeat in his first match in charge of the Blues.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Roberto Sanchez – 6
A mixed performance. A decent save to deny Doku a long-range shot, but his distribution was poor and he should have saved Kovacic’s shot.
Bad Taste – 6.5
Doku has been very busy, but he has stuck to his job. He is a very good right-back, but can he displace Reece James? He has the game to make the most of it.
Wesley Fofana – 6.5
Hopefully he can revive his career after two injury-plagued campaigns. There are some encouraging signs to deal with the threat of Haaland.
Levi Colwill-5
Classy and calm in possession, but really should have been stronger when taking on Haaland for City’s opener and his sloppy clearance led to Chelsea’s second.
Marc Cucurella – 5.5
He enjoyed the summer of his life with Spain but was too easily ignored by Haaland for City’s opening goal. He was substituted in the closing stages.
Marc Cucurella enjoyed the summer, but Haaland ignored him too easily for the first goal.
Moses Caicedo – 6
He showed major improvements in form towards the end of last season and continued that positivity here, but should have been firmer with Kovacic for Chelsea’s second goal.
Romeo Lavia – 7
He missed virtually all of last season through injury and impressed on his debut for the club. He was unlucky to be substituted. A great season is coming up.
Cole Palmer-6.5
Chelsea’s player of last season still has plenty to give once he’s fully recovered. He’s shown flashes of brilliance and his vision is like radar. Scary potential.
Enzo Fernandez – 6.5
He was named captain despite the storm of racism that overshadowed his summer and he repaid that support with a solid display in the No. 10 role.
Christopher Nkunku – 6
A threat from the wings for Chelsea. Positive signs after an injury-hit first season. Has a big responsibility to deliver a good result.
Nicholas Jackson – 6
Slightly offside for a goal that would have equalised when he didn’t really need it. He was involved in some constructive play before being substituted.
Enzo Maresca-6.5
Chelsea will be happy to see all this through. Their team has shown more than enough to suggest they will improve on last season.
Substitutes: Neto 5.5 (Nkunku 59); Guiu 5.5 (Jackson 67); Dewbury-Hall 5.5 (Lavia 67); Veiga (Cucurella 80)
Cole Palmer (right) showed glimpses of his talent, but will impress more when he is fully fit.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)
Ederson-6
He was lucky to escape after failing to stop Nkunku’s shot that led to Chelsea’s goal being disallowed, but redeemed himself with an instinctive save from Jackson.
Rico Lewis-7
He will surely be a key piece for England’s future after Gareth Southgate. There is a lot to admire about this kid. He played with ease.
Manuel Akanji-6.5
He didn’t have it all easy, but he didn’t concede goals at the start of the season because that was all he could ask for.
Ruben Days – 7
Experience and presence at the heart of City’s defence were key in helping City get over the line on a difficult afternoon.
Josko Gvardiol – 6.5
Eyes in the back of the head were needed to deal with Palmer’s clever movement, but it was a successful afternoon for the Croatian.
Mateo Kovacic – 7
He kept things running smoothly in midfield against his former team before scoring a brilliant second goal on the pitch he used to patrol.
Kovacic kept the pace in midfield against his former team in the capital.
Kevin De Bruyne, for his part, was not at his best, but he showed cold-bloodedness and quality, also against his former team.
Jeremy Doku-7
He played a key role in Haaland’s opening goal and was a huge threat to City all afternoon. Very strong. Excellent.
Bernardo Silva-7.5
He just goes about his business quietly in the middle of the park. Excellent footballer. Vital touch in the build-up to the first goal.
Kevin De Bruyne-6.5
It wasn’t his most impressive performance, but we rate the Belgian differently than the others. He exuded freshness and quality.
Wise – 6
He had a promising performance on his debut for City, but a clumsy challenge on Enzo inside the box could have changed the story. He was substituted at half-time due to injury.
Haaland is now fit and could have had a second goal if not for a smart save from Sanchez.
City were lucky but will be the team to beat again by matching their rivals’ opening weekend results.
Erling Haaland-7
The Norwegian, who has recovered after a summer break, is now fully fit. Bad news for the rest of the Premier League: he has been booked.
Pep Guardiola-7
His team is in top form. He had to rely on luck at times, but City will be the team to beat… again. Clinical.
Substitutes: Foden (Saviinho 46)
Referee: Anthony Taylor 6.5
