Manchester City began their title defence on Saturday with a comfortable win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Erling Haaland scored in the first half to open his season ticket, while former Chelsea man Mateo Kovacic scored towards the end of the match against his old team.
It was Pep Guardiola taking on one of his former disciples, Enzo Maresca, and the teacher clearly outperformed the pupil in Maresca’s first Premier League match as manager.
The next few games look slightly more favourable for Chelsea, with City quickly putting three points on the board with the win, putting them on par with last season’s biggest rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
Mail Sport’s SAMI MOKBEL gives his player ratings from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea have made a losing start under Maresca.
Manchester City started the Premier League season with a win by beating Chelsea
Pep Guardiola’s team hopes to win the top flight title again and secure a fifth consecutive title
Enzo Maresca (right) meanwhile tasted defeat in his first match as coach of the Blues
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sanchez – 6
A mixed performance. Reasonable save to stop Doku from distance, but his distribution was poor and should have been saved by Kovacic.
Bad taste – 6.5
Had his hands full with Doku, but stuck to his task. A very good right back – but can he show Reece James? He has the game to make a fist of it.
Wesley Fofana – 6.5
Hopefully he can revive his career after two injury-plagued campaigns. Some encouraging signs in dealing with Haaland’s threat.
Levi Colwill-5
Elegant and cool in possession, but should have been stronger in dealing with Haaland for City’s opener and his sloppy save led to Chelsea’s second. 5
Marc Cucurella – 5.5
Enjoyed the summer of his life with Spain but was too easily picked out by Haaland for City’s opener. Substituted in the closing stages.
Marc Cucurella enjoyed the summer but was too easily dropped by Haaland for the season opener
Moises Caicedo – 6
He showed a big improvement in form towards the end of last season and he continued that positivity here, but he should have been more solid for Chelsea’s second season under Kovacic.
Romeo Lavia – 7
Missed most of last season through injury and impressed on his full debut for the club. Shame he was substituted. Big season ahead.
Cole Palmer – 6.5
There is still plenty to be gained from Chelsea’s player from last season when he is fully fit again. He has shown flashes of brilliance and his vision is like that of a radar. Frightening potential.
Enzo Fernández – 6.5
Despite the racial crisis that overshadowed his summer, he was made captain and repaid that support with a strong performance as number 10.
Christopher Nkunku – 6
A threat to Chelsea down the flanks. Positive signs after injury hit first season. Big responsibility for him to deliver end product.
Nicolas Jackson-6
Marginal offside for an equaliser when it really wasn’t necessary. Involved in a number of constructive build-up plays before being substituted.
Enzo Maresca – 6.5
Chelsea will do fine on the evidence of this, his team showed more than enough to suggest they will do better than last season.
Subs: Neto 5.5 (Nkunku 59); Guiu 5.5 (Jackson 67); Dewbury Hall 5.5 (Lavia 67); Veiga (Cucurella 80)
Cole Palmer (right) showed his talent but will impress more when he is fully fit again
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)
Ederson-6
He was lucky to escape after failing to stop Nkunku’s shot for Chelsea’s disallowed goal, but he saved himself with an instinctive save from Jackson.
Rico Lewis-7
Will definitely be a big part of England’s future after Gareth Southgate. So much to admire about this lad. Went through this game with ease.
Manuel Akanji – 6.5
He didn’t have everything his own way, but a clean sheet at the start of the season was all he could have wished for.
Ruben Dias-7
Experience and presence at the heart of City’s defence were vital in helping City over the line on a difficult afternoon.
Josko Gvardiol – 6.5
Needed eyes to process Palmer’s clever moves, but it was a successful afternoon for the Croat.
Mateo Kovacic – 7
Kept things running smoothly in midfield against his old team, before scoring a superb second goal on the field he used to police.
Kovacic kept things running smoothly in midfield against his former team in the capital
Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, was not at his best due to his composure and quality – not even against his former team
Jeremy Doku – 7
Played a key role in Haaland’s opening game and was a potent threat to City all afternoon. So strong. Excellent.
Bernardo Silva – 7.5
Just calmly going about his business in the middle of the park. Super footballer. Essential touch in the build-up to the opener.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6.5
Not his most eye-catching performances, but we judge the Belgian differently than others. Radiated cool and quality.
Savinho-6
Promising display on his debut for City, but a clumsy foul on Enzo in the penalty area might have changed the story. Substituted at half-time due to injury.
Haaland is already on a roll and could have had a second chance if it weren’t for a smart save from Sanchez
City were lucky but will again be the team to beat as they look to emulate their rivals’ opening weekend results
Erling Haaland – 7
The Norwegian, refreshed after a full summer break, is back up and running. Bad news for the rest of the Premier League. Booked.
Pep Guardiola – 7
His team are up and running. Had to rely on their luck at times but City will be the team to beat… again. Clinical.
Substitutes: Foden (Savinho 46)
Referee – Anthony Taylor 6.5
