The Blues never looked like troubling the defending Premier League champions on another underwhelming day at Stamford Bridge
Enzo Maresca's first Premier League game in charge of Chelsea fell flat as the Blues were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Rather inevitably, Erling Haaland scored the opening goal, forcing his way in between Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella before lifting the ball past Robert Sanchez at close range. Chelsea did manage to get the ball in the back of the net through Nicolas Jackson, after Ederson had spilled a shot from Cole Palmer, but the Senegalese had strayed offside.
Jackson had another chance after the break but could only put the ball straight at Ederson from point-blank range, before Rico Lewis saw an effort disallowed for a foul by Haaland on Levi Colwill.
Maresca threw on new signings Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Guiu in search of an equaliser, but could only watch in dismay as Mateo Kovacic capped a fine display against his former club by firing home and making it a miserable afternoon for the new Blues boss.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Robert Sanchez (4/10):
Made some decent saves from Doku, Haaland and Bernardo but also had some shaky moments. Got away with a poor pass straight to Kevin De Bruyne and won't want to see replays of City's second goal.
Malo Gusto (5/10):
A sloppy showing from the right-back. Needed better delivery and struggled up against the pace of Doku.
Wesley Fofana: (4/10):
A first Premier League appearance in 448 days and it showed up against Haaland. Improved as the game wore on but then gifted the ball to City for their second goal.
Levi Colwill (5/10):
His partnership with Fofana in the heart of defence didn't really inspire confidence.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Decent enough display down the left. Went off late on after picking up a knock.
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Romeo Lavia (7/10):
Didn't misplace a single pass in the first half and was the pick of Chelsea's midfielders. Replaced by Dewsbury-Hall in the second half.
Moises Caicedo (6/10):
Fairly sold shift from the midfielder but Chelsea will want so much more.
Enzo Fernandez (4/10):
Wore the captain's armband but struggled in midfield and was run ragged at times in the first half.
Getty ImagesAttack
Cole Palmer (6/10):
Always looked Chelsea's most likely source of inspiration but couldn't come up with the magic needed for the Blues this time.
Christopher Nkunku (4/10):
Struggled to get involved out on the left. A few flickers but no surprise to see him replaced by Neto just before the hour.
Nicolas Jackson (5/10):
Thought he'd equalised in the first half but had carelessly strayed offside. Had a good chance after the break but hit it straight at Ederson.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Pedro Neto (6/10):
Had a sight of goal straight after coming on and looked lively.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (5/10):
Handed his Premier League debut for Chelsea but didn't make much of an impact.
Marc Guiu (4/10):
Was sent on in search of an equaliser but barely had a sniff.
Renato Veiga (N/A):
A late sub after Cucurella picked up a knock.
Enzo Maresca (5/10):
Made some big calls by dropping Sterling and handing Fernandez the armband but saw his team comfortably beaten. His substitutions made little impact on a tough opening day for the new manager.