Title holders Manchester City kick off their bid for an unprecedented fifth Premier League title in a row as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side began their season in the perfect fashion with a win over local rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield, though they have since lost Oscar Bobb to injury and finalised the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. Though they are hardly short in quality or numbers, but this match arrives before Guardiola has had a chance to bolster his squad.
For Chelsea, new manager Enzo Maresca would probably had preferred an easier opponent in his first competitive match in charge, but it is a good opportunity for the Italian to test his side, having added Pedro Neto in the summer to build on a new style of play.
Follow all the latest score and match updates from Chelsea v Manchester City below.
Chelsea 0-1 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:53
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man City
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!
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:51
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:48
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:46
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:43
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:41
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:39
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:38
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:35
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
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.
Chris Wilson18 August 2024 16:32