Posts tagged: Akanji

Erling Haaland scored his 91st goal in his 100th appearance for Manchester City on Sunday as the champions kicked off their Premier League title defence with a lively 2-0 away win over Chelsea.

The big Norwegian, fed by Bernardo Silva, forced his way between Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana and finished neatly past Robert Sanchez in the 18th minute.

Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic made sure of victory for the visitors six minutes from time, racing through a disorganised Chelsea midfield and thumping the ball into Sanchez’s net.

Chelsea, in their first Premier League outing under new manager Enzo Maresca, fashioned some hopeful attacking moves through Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and recent signing Pedro Neto but were largely outclassed by their more composed visitors.

Chelsea vs Man City LIVE

• Chelsea host champions Manchester City with kick-off at 4.30pm BST | Live on Sky

• Raheem Sterling’s agent issues statement after winger left out of Chelsea squad

• Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku

• Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Doku, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland

• GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man City (Erling Haaland, 19 min)

Chelsea FC 0 – 2 Manchester City FC

The more things change at Chelsea, the more they stay the same

19:15 , Chris Wilson

For all the ructions of Chelsea’s summer and the potential for huge upheaval this season, the campaign has started in as predictable a manner as it could have. Erling Haaland scored. Manchester City won 2-0. There was even the little lesson of Mateo Kovacic scoring the clinching goal after beating the two £200m-plus midfielders signed to replace him, with Enzo Fernandez not exactly showing the kind of resolve that would be expected of a captain.

His temporary elevation to that status will bring questions after a summer where he was forced to apologise to teammates after being caught on video chanting racist and homophobic slurs against members of the French team amid Argentina’s Copa America celebrations.

It was almost fitting that the game had two off-field stories before it – or the season – had even started. That came with the Chelsea line-up, which should be less surprising given that the sheer number of players is going to create issues every week.

The more things change at Chelsea, the more they stay the same

FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City

19:10 , Chris Wilson

City’s other goalscorer, Erling Haaland, told Sky Sports that today was “three points, [and] a perfect start”.

“First games are always hard, for everyone, it doesn’t matter if you had a pre-season or not. I had a long pre-season but I don’t feel perfect, I’m not in the perfect state. It’s good to get that win.

On his goal, he says that he “knew exactly what to do, I think it was a really good goal”.

“I remember last year he made a really good save against me, it had been irritating me for a long time, so yeah, it was a perfect goal.

“The best players are the best on the easiest things. Touching it with your right and passing with your left. That’s the important thing. Pep [Guardiola] says this to me all the time.

“I want to get more involved, that’s what Pep wants. But in games like this, do I need to be that more involved? That’s the million-dollar question. I want to get more assists and become a better player.”

WATCH: Kovacic seals it for City

19:00 , Chris Wilson

Here’s the second goal, courtesy of Mateo Kovacic.

FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:53 , Chris Wilson

Manchester City goalscorer Mateo Kovacic spoke to Sky Sports first, and says that “it’s always tough when you miss big players”.

“I had a longer break so I could recover better, I wanted to be ready for the beginning of the season,” he adds, before stating that he played a hybrid version of Rodri’s usual role.

“I play today some kind of his role, but we are always missing Rodri because he is, if not the best player, one of the best in the world.

“I don’t score many goals and when you score you want to celebrate. But I have a huge respect for Chelsea, I spent five years here.

“I scored but that is not always the most important thing for me, the most important is winning.

“This team is so hungry and it’s a pleasure to be a part of it and win titles.”

Chelsea v Manchester City player ratings: Mateo Kovacic sparkles as Christopher Nkunku flounders

18:48 , Chris Wilson

Manchester City comfortably saw off Chelsea in their opening Premier League game of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic scored the goals as City earned a 2-0 win against Enzo Maresca’s side.

And below is how the players rated:

Chelsea v Man City player ratings: Kovacic sparkles as Nkunku flounders

Match stats

18:43 , Chris Wilson

The possession was just 52 per cent in City’s favour, with Chelsea having 10 shots to City’s 11, and three on target to City’s five.

For those who prefer the xG measure, Chelsea actually ‘won’ on xG – 1.23 to City’s 0.82. That is the lowest expected goals measure that City have had this calendar year.

FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:38 , Chris Wilson

So, a promising start for Enzo Maresca as his new look Chelsea side showed signs of attacking flair, invention and stability in parts of the match. Nevertheless, they eventually fell to City’s superior firepower, but they’ll take a few positives from today, and on another day they could’ve come away with a point.

For City, business continues as usual. The loss of Rodri gave them less stability than they usually have, especially in defence, and the attack lacked the final bit of quality on a couple of occasions, but they know they’ll likely iron those mistakes out within a few weeks.

Not a lot to take definitively, but an interesting opening match for both sides.

18:33 , Chris Wilson

FULL-TIME! Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:28 , Chris Wilson

FULL-TIME!

The referee brings the match to an end and City take three points in their season opener! Chelsea got close at times, but you need a finishing touch if you want to beat the champions.

Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:27 , Chris Wilson

95 mins

One of the last actions of the match as Fernandez unleashes a driven shot from outside the box, but it’s straight at Ederson.

Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:26 , Chris Wilson

94 mins

City are happy to just keep the ball in the corner and run down the clock, though there’s no chance of them giving this lead away.

Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:25 , Chris Wilson

91 mins

There are five minutes of added time but this match is over as a contest, as Doku is fouled once more.

Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:22 , Chris Wilson

89 mins

Caicedo is just the second player to be booked today as he brings down Doku. Moments later, the Belgian does brilliantly to wriggle through three Chelsea defenders into the box, but his cutback is intercepted.

Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:20 , Chris Wilson

88 mins

Chelsea are charging forward trying to get back into it, but they’re leaving themselves open at the back. City are knocking it around to a chorus of ‘ole’ from their fans.

GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Man City

18:18 , Chris Wilson

85 mins

GOAL! And it’s a former Chelsea man!

Really poor on the whole from Chelsea. The ball is cleared straight to Kovacic, who is unmarked in acres of space. He drives forward towards the box and Fernandez doesn’t challenge him, so he goes for goal with an effort from outside the area. It’s not a brilliant effort and Sanchez should save it, but he palms it onto the base of the post and into the back of the net!

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

18:16 , Chris Wilson

84 mins

City really do look very comfortable now, controlling the pace of the game and refusing to concede possession. Doku does eventually run into trouble, but City win it back quickly.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

18:14 , Chris Wilson

81 mins

Cucurella stays down after clearing the ball, and Chelsea will bring on Renato Veiga in his place.

City charge forward again, led by Doku, but they’re forced to recycle possession. It comes back to Foden, and before long it’s back with Ederson.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

18:10 , Chris Wilson

77 mins

Chelsea fans think they have a penalty shout, but Kovacic’s hand was in a natural position. It was brilliant play from Palmer and Gusto to get into that position though.

The corner is cleared, and though Chelsea keep possession, they end up knocking it out of play for a goal kick.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

18:08 , Chris Wilson

75 mins

Strangely, Chelsea aren’t really playing like a team desperately hunting an equaliser at home in their first game of the season. It’s very pedestrian.

City continue to search for a second, but Doku’s attempted through ball to Haaland is cut out.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

18:06 , Chris Wilson

72 mins

The first chance of note quite a few minutes as De Bruyne fires a shot wide when he could have played in Foden.

Moments later, City swept forward again, with Lewis playing the one-two with Silva before trying to square it to Haaland, but it’s put behind for a corner.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

18:04 , Chris Wilson

69 mins

Chelsea fans will be hoping that they’ve landed a real bargain with the signing of Marc Guiu, who cost just £5m from Barcelona as a result of a release clause. He’s one of the Blaugrana’s youngest ever goalscorers.

There is a lull in activity here as both sides struggle to gain a foothold at the moment.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:59 , Chris Wilson

67 mins

Chelsea make two changes – Marc Guiu comes on for Jackson, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall replaces Lavia.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:58 , Chris Wilson

65 mins

City are knocking it around but there isn’t a lot of penetration to their play – but they do score a disallowed goal!

They try the simple clip in to Haaland and he takes it down on his chest before failing to get the shot away properly. He rakes his boot across the leg of Colwill as he tries to shoot, and Lewis fires the ball into the back of the net on the rebound, but it’s overturned and Haaland is instead given a yellow card.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:54 , Chris Wilson

62 mins

All of a sudden it’s Chelsea with all the chances! They come forward again and the cross comes in. Fernandez heads it past the goal but Gusto is there to clip it back in – it’s headed clear, though Lavia comes in to head back towards goal, and Jackson is there to wrestle with the defender and get a shot away from point blank range, but it’s straight at Ederson! Bit chaotic there.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:52 , Chris Wilson

58 mins

Pedro Neto comes on for Christopher Nkunku, who’s probably been Chelsea’s best player so far today.

City are starting to try and impose themselves a bit more on this half, but it’s Chelsea with the best chance so far. They work the ball to the right wing and it’s Fernandez to fizz in an early cross. It’s a great ball, right into the gap between ‘keeper and defenders, but Rico Lewis tracks back well to put it behind for a corner.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:49 , Chris Wilson

56 mins

Scrappy over the last couple of minutes, with both sides giving away cheap fouls and sloppily losing possession.

Foden hasnt been able to have the same attacking impact as Savinho yet, with City often forced to go backwards rather than forwards (or inside) at the moment.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:44 , Chris Wilson

52 mins

CLOSE! City collect possession as well and it’s moved to De Bruyne near the edge of the box. His pass in is deflected perfectly into the path of Silva, who then squares it to Haaland in the box.

The Norwegian opens up to curl it into the far corner, but he hasn’t wrapped his foot around it enough and it’s a fairly simple save for Sanchez.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:43 , Chris Wilson

51 mins

Gusto gives it away cheaply before doing brilliantly to track back and win it back, but Caicedo’s clipped ball into Jackson is collected by Ederson.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:41 , Chris Wilson

48 mins

A slow start to this half, with City taking plenty of possession but not creating anything with it.

Palmer slips it through to Fernandez in the box, but he collides with Jackson and the opportunity goes begging.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:39 , Chris Wilson

47 mins

Sanchez with a poor pass straight to De Bruyne, but the Belgian can’t capitalise as he clips a cross beyond the sky blue shirts in the box.

KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:37 , Chris Wilson

The home side get the second half started.

City have brought on Phil Foden in place of Savinho – looks like that niggling injury got to the Brazilian in the end.

HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:36 , Chris Wilson

The teams are emerging from the Stamford Bridge tunnel now, so we’ll be back underway soon.

Chelsea certainly look like they can salvage at least a point here, though they have to be careful not to let this match run away from them.

HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:32 , Chris Wilson

A mixed half for both sides, defined by that moment of brilliance from Haaland.

Both teams had chances – City probably just about edged it on balance – but failed to apply the finishing touches on all but one occasion.

City look good going forward but a little more edgy at the back, while Chelsea have caused problems going forward and have overall done fairly well in defence bar that one moment.

We’re in for an interesting second half.

HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:28 , Chris Wilson

HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:22 , Chris Wilson

50 mins

More penalty shouts as Nkunku goes down under plenty of sliding challenges and blocks, but nothing given again. The Frenchman perhaps could’ve done better there, having been sent almost clean through by Jackson.

The referee blows the whistle and the two teams head down the tunnel at 1-0 to City.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:20 , Chris Wilson

48 mins

Gusto does well to stand his ground and dispossess Doku, and Chelsea go on the attack. It ends up falling to Enzo on the edge of the box, but he’s under plenty of pressure and never really has it under control. He collides with Dias on the edge of the box and there are shouts for a penalty, but nothing given.

The World Cup winner stays down for now, but he should be okay.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:17 , Chris Wilson

46 mins

There’ll be at least five minutes added on to what has been an entertaining, if unspectacular, half of football. Chelsea look buoyed by that disallowed goal and their forward players are combining nicely at times.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:16 , Chris Wilson

43 mins

Both City men are fine to play on, and their teammates are keeping plenty of the ball at the moment. When Chelsea do win it though, it’s in dangerous areas.

And there’s an example! Nkunku nips in to win possession and Chelsea sweep it wide to Palmer. He cuts inside and unleashes a fairly powerful shot but it’s straight at Ederson. The Brazilian should hold onto it, but he spills it and it falls to Jackson, who taps in!

However, the Senegal man had wandered offside as Palmer shot, so it’s disallowed!

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:12 , Chris Wilson

40 mins

A brilliant counter-attack chance for City but it’s ruined by Doku. Savinho does brilliantly to carry out of his half and release the Belgian on the overlap. City suddenly have a three-v-two with Haaland and De Bruyne in support – Doku tries to slide the Norwegian clean through, but it’s right at the defender and City have to settle for a long-range effort from Silva.

Both Savinho and De Bruyne are down and receiving treatment.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:10 , Chris Wilson

38 mins

Fernandez tracks back brilliantly to dispossess Silva and get Chelsea out of trouble in their own box. Moments later he’s shooting in the opposition box after good combination work from Palmer, Nkunku and Jackson, but it’s deflected behind for a corner.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:08 , Chris Wilson

36 mins

Savinho has beaten Cucurella twice in as many minutes, but he couldn’t put the cross in on either occasion.

Moments after, Doku collects in a central area outside the box and fires in a deflected shot that Sanchez does well to tip over.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:06 , Chris Wilson

34 mins

Despite that touch Fernandez is one of the Chelsea players who’s having a good game so far, along with Nkunku and Lavia. Palmer is yet to really get into the game, but he’ll pick his moment.

A reprieve for Nico Jackson too, as he raced clear, beat a couple of the sliding challenges from City and slid a weak shot straight at a defender, but it was offside anyway.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:03 , Chris Wilson

32 mins

Chelsea fans think they have a shout for a penalty but in truth it’s a terrible touch from Fernandez, who was receiving the ball on the edge of the box under the challenge from Savinho.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

17:02 , Chris Wilson

30 mins

Rico Lewis slides in to intercept – he’s played well so far today, as he did in the Community Shield. You’d have thought City will call upon his flexibility many times this season, especially since he looks so comfortable in more attacking positions too. Have they already found the Kyle Walker replacement, or does his future lie in another position?

The match has calmed down now, with Chelsea happy to knock it around their half for the moment and City declining to press them.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

16:59 , Chris Wilson

28 mins

Chelsea are building better attacks now but the pace of it all is still pretty hectic, as Nkunku clips a ball over all the blue shirts and then Palmer delivers one straight to Ederson.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

16:57 , Chris Wilson

24 mins

Chelsea have some sustained possession now but it’s very frantic and not very cohesive. Caicedo tries to fizz a through ball into Jackson, but it’s straight to Akanji.

Moments after, Nkunku thinks he’s won the ball and is clean through, but he’s penalised for pulling Akanji back.

Chelsea 0-1 Man City

16:53 , Chris Wilson

22 mins

Problems for Chelsea now, as the midfield can’t get a hold of the match. Silva ships a pass across to De Bruyne, who has plenty of space as he opens his body up to shoot, but it’s wide of the far corner.

GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man City

16:51 , Chris Wilson

19 mins

GOAL! Out of nothing, but is it offside?

Doku has it on the left wing and he fizzes a pass into the box. Silva can’t control it but he can stretch out a leg to poke it to Haaland. The Norwegian still has a lot to do, but he takes a touch into his path, shrugs off the challenge from Cucurella and reverses a little chip past Sanchez for 1-0!

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:48 , Chris Wilson

18 mins

No clear-cut chances for either side yet, but both teams are looking sharp in periods. City are beginning to keep the lion’s share of the ball though.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:46 , Chris Wilson

15 mins

Cucurella does well to win a foul off Doku as the Belgian looked to get onto the end of the one-two into the box. At the other end, Dias does well to, shepherding Jackson off the ball on the edge of the City box before winning a foul.

Lavia brings down De Bruyne near halfway and City have possession as De Bruyne’s early cross finds the gloves of Sanchez.

Doku and Savinho have already switched wings.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:43 , Chris Wilson

12 mins

Poor again from Doku, twice in as many minutes. He works some space on the right to get past Cucurella but ends up losing out to the Spaniard, and then moments later Savinho does well to get the ball across but the Belgian skews a shot well wide.

Chelsea go up the other end but it’s a little pedestrian before Palmer is dispossessed by Kovacic.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:41 , Chris Wilson

10 mins

A quick counter from Chelsea ends with Gusto playing in an early cross that Gvardiol does well to dive in and put out for a corner. Palmer swings in an inviting cross, but Fofana can only volley it wide.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:39 , Chris Wilson

8 mins

Some nice touches from Savinho take him past Cole Palmer before he slots a pass into the path of Bernardo. The Portuguese’s cross is put behind for a corner, and City concede a foul when the ball is delivered in.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:38 , Chris Wilson

6 mins

Chelsea have their first real attack but Rico Lewis extinguishes it after tackling Nkunku on the edge of the box. Chelsea win back possession after a sloppy pass in midfield from City, but neither side is in a rush to commit numbers forward at the moment.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:35 , Chris Wilson

4 mins

Savinho’s first involvement sees a deflected cross land in the gloves of Sanchez. Moments later, Doku clips a cross towards the back post that just flies out behind the goal. Poor from the Belgian after good work from Haaland to win possession.

Chelsea 0-0 Man City

16:32 , Chris Wilson

2 mins

Rico Lewis’ first foray forward ends with the young full-back finding the side netting with a cross. Chelsea not out of their half yet.

KICK-OFF! Chelsea vs Man City

16:31 , Chris Wilson

1 min

City get us started at Stamford Bridge! City take their first steps in the hunt for five in a row.

Chelsea vs Man City LIVE

16:27 , Chris Wilson

The two teams are coming out of the tunnel now, with both sides looking focused today.

Plenty of underlying story lines before kick-off today, from the omission of Sterling to the choice of Enzo Fernandez as captain.

Another story is Erling Haaland – this is his 100th appearance in a City shirt, and he’s scored NINETY goals.

Chelsea vs Man City LIVE

16:25 , Chris Wilson

We’re five minutes away from kick-off at Stamford Bridge. Will Pep Guardiola’s side do their usual business, or will Enzo Maresca’s young side provide an opening week surprise in the Premier League?

We’ll find out soon.

Head-to-head

16:20 , Chris Wilson

A reminder of the head-to-head between these two teams – Chelsea have won 77, with City winning 66 and 41 ending as draws.

The two teams drew in both their league meetings last season, playing out one of the matches of the season as Stamford Bridge as they drew 4-4. They also met in the FA Cup semi-final, with City running out 1-0 winners.

The most famous match between the two came in the Champions League final in May 2021, where Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea won their second trophy courtesy of a Kai Havertz goal.

That final was the last time Chelsea beat City in any competition – Chelsea are winless in their last six Premier League meetings with Manchester City (D2 L4), since a 2-1 away win in May 2021.

16:15 , Chris Wilson

Enzo Maresca confident Chelsea can ‘close the gap’ but new manager admits he needs time

16:10 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca promised it is only a matter of time before the club is ready to challenge at the top of the Premier Leaguetable, as he prepares to kick off his Stamford Bridge tenure at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

The Italian is the sixth coach to have led the team since Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium bought the club two years ago.

That period initially saw the Blues, who last won the league in 2017, slump from being Champions League regulars to the obscurity of mid-table before recovering to put in a strong finish to last season under former boss Mauricio Pochettino and qualify for Europe.

Enzo Maresca confident Chelsea can ‘close the gap’ but new manager says he needs time

Raheem Sterling’s agent issues statement after winger left out of Chelsea squad

16:02 , Lawrence Ostlere

Raheem Sterling’s agent has issued a statement seeking “clarity” on the forward’s future after his omission from the Chelsea squad to face Manchester City.

Sterling was not among the 20-man matchday squad named by Enzo Maresca for the Italian’s first Premier League match in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku were named as the starting front three, while 18-year-old summer signing Marc Guiu was one of a number of forward options preferred to Sterling on the bench.

A member of the 82-cap England international’s off-field team admitted that they were surprised at Maresca’s decision to leave the 29-year-old out entirely against his former club.

Raheem Sterling’s agent issues statement after winger left out of Chelsea squad

Is Chelsea vs Manchester City on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Premier League fixture today

16:00 , Chris Wilson

With 30 minutes to go until kick-off, here’s a reminder of how you can watch this afternoon’s match.

When is Chelsea v Manchester City?

Chelsea v Manchester City kicks off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday, 18 August and takes place at Stamford Bridge, London.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 4pm BST. Subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.

Is Chelsea vs Man City on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

What the managers have been saying

15:50 , Chris Wilson

Guardiola named Chelsea – as well as Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Spurs and Newcastle – as a potential title rival earlier in the week, pointing to “the amount of players and their quality and the manager”.

“Six or seven teams will be there and if you drop a little bit, you will be away. This is the reality that I have felt since the first season I arrived here and after we proved to ourselves that we can do it and to try to do it again. It’s simple.

“There are 114 points to play (for) and we start from zero like everyone. Now we have to conquer again because they are not going to just give us the Premier League for the 24-25 season.

“I understand when people say we are favourites – and we have to accept it. When you win four in a row and six in seven, it is normal that you are favourites. We have to live with that – but I know what we have to do. It is point by point that we must win and, of course, every season it becomes more difficult.”

His Chelsea counterpart has said that Chelsea have been “doing well since day one” and “are improving things”.

“It is too early for the team to be where I want it to be. But I am quite happy because in terms of the process; I think the team is ahead of where I expected.

“For me, a good season would be so I can see day after day, month after month, a team that is improving. For sure with timing, we are going to close a little bit of a gap between us and the teams that are higher than us in this moment.”

On Pep Guardiola, he says that “after eight or nine years together, you can do so many different things”.

“Pep is not a manager that is always doing the same, he is always changing. For us, it will be exactly the same. It will be a tough game but exciting to start against the champions.

“We are going to try and instill our game, to win games and to make us happy, and also the fans.”

I cannot take credit for former assistant Enzo Maresca’s success – Pep Guardiola

15:40 , Chris Wilson

Despite the links between himself and Enzo Maresca, Pep Guardiola insists he cannot take any credit for his former assistant Enzo Maresca’s success as a manager.

The pair will go head-to-head on Sunday in Maresca’s first game as Chelsea boss when City launch their bid for a record-extending fifth-successive Premier League crown at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca helped City win the treble under Guardiola in 2022-23 and – after winning the Sky Bet Championship title in his first season as Leicester manager – the Italian replaced Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea in June.

I cannot take credit for former assistant Enzo Maresca’s success – Pep Guardiola

Team news

15:35 , Chris Wilson

City have made just three changes to the side that won the Community Shield. The injured Oscar Bobb is replaced by Savinho, while in midfield, McAtee and O’Reilly drop to the bench in place of De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

Savinho – a mini-profile on City’s new signing

15:29 , Chris Wilson

So Savinho gets his first start for City, just over a week after making his debut for the club in the Community Shield win. The Brazilian played well on his debut, replacing Jeremy Doku and producing a similar display to the Belgian.

Savinho, who is just 20 years old, was signed for around £30m from City’s sister club Troyes. He was known more commonly as Savio last season when he played for Girona, where he got nine goals and 10 assists last season as the Catalan club qualified for the Champions League for the first time.

He has a similarly direct style of play to Doku, frequently looking to take his man on, and often utilising his speed and agility when dribbling. As a left-footer, he can play on the right wing but is often deployed on the left, as he was last week.

Despite his enjoyment when taking on defenders, the Brazilian also frequently drifts inside, helping out the attack from more central areas.

Line-ups

15:20 , Chris Wilson

Man City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Doku, Haaland, Savinho.

Subs: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Ake, Grealish, Nunes, Foden, O’Reilly, McAtee.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Jackson, Nkunku.

Subs: Jorgensen, Badiashile, Tosin, Veiga, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, Mudryk, Neto, Guiu.

Team news

15:10 , Chris Wilson

The teams should be announced within the next five minutes, so here’s a reminder of that early team news.

Reece James’ injury woes continue and the Chelsea captain will miss the opener with a hamstring injury, though he is also suspended.

Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Omari Kellyman and Djordje Petrovic are all doubts after missing long periods of pre-season, although Jackson is expected to feature.

Manchester City will be without Oscar Bobb, who is out with a fractured leg, while Jack Grealish is a doubt having missed the Community Shield last weekend. Pep Guardiola also recently confirmed that Rodri has not travelled to London with the squad.

Kyle Walker and John Stones are back in training after returning late following the Euro 2024 final.

A new Premier League season awaits – but Man City’s legal case casts a long and inevitable shadow

15:00 , Chris Wilson

There are only a handful of people who know exactly what is happening in the Manchester City case and one of them had to promote the new Premier League season this week.

“It’s clear we have some regulatory challenges,” competition chief executive Richard Masters said. “But I’m confident we can navigate all of that and, by the time we sit down again in 12 months, a lot of that stuff will be clearer and we can have the way we always want it, which is the football front and centre.”

It’s quite a hopeful spin that is perhaps natural from the world’s most bombastic league, especially since this season could involve a storm like no other. This could well be the most controversial and consequential campaign in the English game’s history, that reaches both Bosman and Italy’s Calciopoli in terms of its effects. It could change the face of the table, the future, the past, as well as the Premier League’s very image. An outcome of the City case is expected by April, but any time that late is almost even worse for the Premier League.

Chelsea vs Man City LIVE

14:50 , Chris Wilson

These two sides met three times last season, contesting an FA Cup semi-final as well as their two league games.

The first meeting threw up one of the games of the season at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer scoring a late penalty to equalise against his old side.

The second match was slightly less exciting, though no less interesting, ending in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad.

So the FA Cup tie was the only match where one side could find something to separate themselves from the other – City won that match 1-0, though Chelsea were kicking themselves come full-time as they had plenty of chances to win it themselves.

All the most recent evidence suggests that we’re in for a cracker this afternoon!

Chelsea transfers and rumours

14:35 , Chris Wilson

The transfer merry-g-round continues at Chelsea, with the Blues reportedly close to signing Joao Felix on a permanent transfer. Conor Gallagher would likely be going the other way, with the purported transfer of Samu Omorodion falling through.

Chelsea have also been linked with a host of other players, from heavily reported links to Victor Osimhen to less believable links such as Jadon Sancho.

In terms of players leaving, Ben Chilwell has been touted for a move, with Trevoh Chalobah almost certain to leave too after reportedly being banned from the first-team facilities.

Incomings:

Pedro Neto – £54m

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – £30m

Filip Jorgensen – £20.7m

Omari Kellyman – £19m

Marc Guiu – £5m

Aaron Anselmino – £17m (loaned out)

Renato Veiga – £12m

Caleb Wiley – £8.5m (loaned out)

Tosin Adarabioyo – free

Outgoings:

Ian Maatsen – £37.5m

Lewis Hall – £28m

Omari Hutchinson – £20m

Diego Moreira – £1.5m

Hakim Ziyech – free

Thiago Silva – free

Malang Sarr – free

Lesley Ugochukwu – loan

Alfie Gilchrist – loan

City transfers and rumours

14:25 , Chris Wilson

With City having sold Julian Alvarez while losing Oscar Bobb to a long-term injury, there’s plenty of speculation around the club’s potential transfer targets. The only major signing they have made so far is Savio (who is now known as Savinho) from Troyes – to much irritation in some parts.

The Cityzens have been linked to both Ebere Eze and Bruno Guimaraes, but with the window closing soon and both of those players commanding huge fees, don’t be surprised to see City go with more under-the-radar signings.

In terms of outgoings, Kalvin Phillips has now gone out on loan to Ipswich, while it remains to be seen whether Joao Cancelo will be of use to Guardiola this season.

Incomings:

Savio – £21m

Outgoings:

Julian Alvarez – £82m

Taylor Harwood-Bellis – £20m

Sergio Gomez – £8.4m

Tommy Doyle – £4.3m

Kalvin Phillips – loan

Enzo Maresca v Pep Guardiola

14:15 , Chris Wilson

A little bit of background on Enzo Maresca then, as alluded to in that article.

The Italian, who had a playing career with teams including Juventus, Sevilla and West Brom, took his first managerial role with Parma in 2021, subsequently being dismissed after failing to reach the promotion spots in Serie B.

But his first job in management had actually come the season before – he was hired by Man City as the head of their Elite Development Squad in August 2020, and won the PL2 title while there.

After his failed stint at Parma, he returned to City as Guardiola’a assistant in June 2022.

One year later, he was appointed Leicester manager, and his successful stint there led to Chelsea appointing him earlier this summer.

Enzo Maresca is only the latest Pep Guardiola clone – the problem is, they can’t all win

14:00 , Chris Wilson

Pep Guardiola’s closest challenger last season was his former assistant, Mikel Arteta. The Bundesliga was won by a team managed by one of his former players, Xabi Alonso, just as the previous season’s LaLiga had been, in Xavi. The Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024 were claimed by Erik ten Hag, who was nicknamed “mini Pep” when he was in charge of Bayern Munich’s second team while the Catalan looked after the senior squad.

The Guardiolaisation of football is most apparent in England. The Manchester City manager’s greatest rival, and stylistic opposite, Jurgen Klopp is gone and his replacement is a self-professed Guardiola fan, in Arne Slot. Tottenham are under a graduate of the City Football Group, in Ange Postecoglou; so are England, temporarily, with Lee Carsley having arrived in Manchester in the same summer as Guardiola.

Enzo Maresca is only the latest Pep Guardiola clone – but they can’t all win

I’d take more satisfaction in Man City improving than title win – Pep Guardiola

13:48 , Chris Wilson

Pep Guardiola admitted he would take greater satisfaction this season from seeing Manchester City improve than in winning another Premier League title.

Six titles in seven years and a record-breaking four in succession have changed the 53-year-old Spaniard’s perspective.

His contract at the Etihad expires next year and speculation on his future will continue to mount until he decides whether or not to extend it.

I’d take more satisfaction in Man City improving than title win – Pep Guardiola

Head-to-head

13:33 , Chris Wilson

The first meeting between these two sides came in 1907, with 177 matches played since.

Chelsea have won 77, with City winning 66 and 41 ending as draws.

The two teams drew in both their league meetings last season, playing out one of the matches of the season as Stamford Bridge as they drew 4-4. They also met in the FA Cup semi-final, with City running out 1-0 winners.

The most famous match between the two came in the Champions League final in May 2021, where Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea won their second trophy courtesy of a Kai Havertz goal.

That final was the last time Chelsea beat City in any competition.

Enzo Maresca urges Chelsea fans to be patient as he insists team is ‘improving’

13:18 , Chris Wilson

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has urged fans to be patient with the team, promising it is only a matter of time before they are ready to challenge at the top of the Premier League table.

The Italian is the sixth coach to have led the team since Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium bought the club two years ago, and he is preparing to kick off his tenure at home to Manchester City on Sunday 18 August.

“With time, we are going to close the gap. Hopefully it can happen very soon,” Maresca said in his pre-match press conference, adding that he wants Chelsea fans to be the “12th man” this season.

Enzo Maresca urges Chelsea fans to be patient as he insists team is ‘improving’

Kyle Walker insists Premier League is ‘our trophy to lose’ before a ball is kicked

12:58 , Lawrence Ostlere

Manchester City start their quest for an unprecedented fifth Premier League title in a row when they travel to Chelsea on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side became the first club in the history of the English top-flight to win four titles in a row, but Kyle Walker believes it is already theirs “to lose”, despite finishing just two points above Arsenal last season.

“I wouldn’t say it’s an ego, but we’ve done this four times in a row – this is our trophy to lose,” Walker told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

Kyle Walker insists Premier League is ‘our trophy to lose’ before a ball is kicked

Match stats

12:40 , Lawrence Ostlere

Chelsea are winless in their last six Premier League meetings with Manchester City (D2 L4), since a 2-1 away win in May 2021.

Overall, City are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Chelsea (won seven, drew two).

No team has earned more points from their opening matches of the Premier League season than Chelsea , with 67. Only Man United have picked up more wins (21) than the Blues (20).

This is the first time Chelsea have begun a top-flight season with a match against the reigning champions since 1971-72, when they lost 3-0 against Arsenal.

Nothing lasts forever and the era of Manchester City is ending

12:27 , Lawrence Ostlere

Jurgen Klopp’s departure means Pep Guardiola stands alone. Only one manager who has won the Premier League still plies his trade in it and it is Manchester City’s serial champion.

Last season rendered Guardiola a history-maker in a new respect, the first manager to win four consecutive English titles. With Klopp gone, in a sense, he has eliminated the opposition. In another, he remains a marked man. “Everyone wants the crown that we have worn for four years,” he warned last week.

Guardiola’s capacity to create teams that can win both week in, week out and year in, year out adds to City’s powers of intimidation. They have a proven ability to reel off 12 or 15 straight victories. They could become the first English club to register five straight league titles, feats that have occurred in the recent past in France, Italy and Germany, but never here.

Nothing lasts forever and the era of Manchester City is ending

Cole Palmer hopes to bring ‘success and trophies to Chelsea’ after new deal

12:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

England international Cole Palmer has signed a two-year contract extension with Chelsea.

The Premier League club confirmed that 22-year-old Palmer, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5million deal last September, has committed himself to the Blues until June 2033.

“I’m delighted to sign this new deal,” Cole told Chelsea’s official website.

“I achieved a lot in my first season here, and hopefully I can continue to experience great things at this club, both on a personal level and in terms of bringing success and trophies to Chelsea.”

Cole Palmer hopes to bring ‘success and trophies to Chelsea’ after new deal

Premier League results so far

12:01 , Chris Wilson

A reminder of how this weekend has gone so far in the Premier League (with match reports attached).

Fri, 16 August – Manchester United 1-0 Fulham

Sat, 17 August – Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool

Sat, 17 August – Arsenal 2-0 Wolves

Sat, 17 August – Newcastle 1-0 Southampton

Sat, 17 August – Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bournemouth

Sat, 17 August – Everton 0-3 Brighton

Sat, 17 August – West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa

Premier League 2024/25 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more

11:40 , Lawrence Ostlere

Manchester City, after their fourth title in a row, are aiming for a magnificent five-in-a-row – but will this be the season Arsenal finally get over the line and win a first top-flight crown in 21 years?

Liverpool will be an intriguing watch under new manager Arne Slot and a total of five clubs will take to the new season with a fresh look in the dugout, with Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Julen Lopetegui at West Ham, Steve Cooper at Leicester City and Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.

Maresca at Chelsea will be a fascinating watch and how will Erik ten Hag fare at Manchester United after being given a new contract? The journeys of the newly-promoted trio of Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton will be interesting, too.

Below, our writers make their predictions for the next season:

Premier League 2024/25 predictions: Champions, relegation, best signing, and more

Predicted line-ups and prediction

11:28 , Lawrence Ostlere

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Matheus Nunes, Kovacic, De Bruyne; Doku, Bernardo Silva, Haaland.

Prediction

This should be a captivating game between two teams with aspirations of success come the end of the season. City, of course, are the better side and may well prove too strong for a Chelsea team adjusting to a new style of play under Maresca. The Italian has been heavily influenced by Guardiola having worked at City as a coach before his move to Parma in 2021. At this point, though, the mentor should get the better of his disciple.

Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City.

Team news

11:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

Reece James’ injury woes continue and the Chelsea captain will miss the opener with a hamstring injury, though he is also suspended.

Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Omari Kellyman and Djordje Petrovic are all doubts after missing long periods of pre-season, although Jackson is expected to feature.

Manchester City will be without Oscar Bobb, who is out with a fractured leg, while Jack Grealish is a doubt having missed the Community Shield last weekend. Pep Guardiola also recently confirmed that Rodri has not travelled to London with the squad.

Kyle Walker and John Stones are back in training after returning late following the Euro 2024 final – but Rodri has since been ruled out with injury.

Is Chelsea vs Manchester City on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Premier League fixture

10:58 , Lawrence Ostlere

When is Chelsea v Manchester City?

Chelsea v Manchester City kicks off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday, 18 August and takes place at Stamford Bridge, London.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 4pm BST. Subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Chelsea vs Man City LIVE

10:45 , Lawrence Ostlere

Chelsea host Manchester City in the standout fixture on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

The away side, after winning their fourth successive title in 2023-24, enter the season as favourites to win a fifth crown in a row, despite an uneventful summer transfer window. But Pep Guardiola’s side have very little room for improvement after years of constant success.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will begin a new era under Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge, and it is very much a baptism of fire for the Italian, whose side struggled in pre-season.

The Blues have made some big-name additions again in the transfer window, notably Pedro Neto from Wolves and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester.

While nothing will be decided for either side in this match, a positive start in such a big game could set the tone for the season ahead.

Chelsea vs Man City LIVE

10:25 , Lawrence Ostlere

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Chelsea vs Manchester City in the penultimate match of gameweek one of the 2024/25 Premier League!

The Blues head into the match with plenty of hope under new manager Enzo Maresca, while City enter looking to lay down an early marker for Arsenal and Liverpool and remind any doubters of their credentials as favourites.

And we’ll have all the build-up and live updates as they come in.