4 things we learned from Chelsea's defeat to Man City

Manchester City's quest for a record fifth-straight Premier League title began with a 2-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday.

The Blues' first competitive match under Enzo Maresca ended in a loss, but there were still positives to take from this Stamford Bridge encounter.

Erling Haaland and ex-Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic landed the fatal blows as the champions came away with all three points.

Here's what we learned from Sunday's match.

1. Maybe Chelsea aren't hopeless after all

Before a ball had been kicked this season, Chelsea were written off, their hopes seemingly dashed more by their chaotic tendencies off the pitch rather than on it.

A series of eye-widening pre-season losses didn't help the Blues try and turn that tide, but they should come away from this defeat with belief they actually are on the right track.

Their build-up through defence and midfield was, for the most part, a little more fluid and well-oiled than City's, while Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia both looked sharp on their returns from long-term injuries.

There was fear over Chelsea gifting City opportunities, but the main criticism of the Blues is that they let their visitors get away with some static defending. They can't have those same struggles in front of goal again this season.

2. A needs-must win for Man City

Pep Guardiola decided to give his Euro 2024 finalists an extended break heading into this season, with most of his England stars only returning to training this week.

Throughout pre-season, he had to make do with a skeleton squad which was tipped by Erling Haaland, and it would be understandable if they start the competitive campaign slowly.

That made Sunday's win at Chelsea all the more impressive. City are still clicking into gear more so than their rivals, who have been able to prepare for the year a tad more freely.

Come May, these three points may be more crucial than usual.

3. Mateo Kovacic to get fabled second-season boost?

By now, people have clocked that Manchester City's mid-to-major signings take a year or so to really find their feet. That was true of Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan and many more in the Guardiola era.

Mateo Kovacic pulled his fair share of weight on City's road to the title last season, but he put on a show back at Stamford Bridge which suggested he's ready to take on more of the load.

City have found it incredibly tough finding a replacement for Rodri and the answer may be that it's simply an impossible job, but Kovacic brought the attacking upside of the Spaniard on his own in midfield here, including a thumping strike for the winner.

4. Captain Fernandez still trying to find a role

Following a summer of controversy, it was a surprise to many that Enzo Fernandez was handed the Chelsea captaincy in the absence of usual skipper Reece James.

On the opening day of last season, the Argentine played arguably his best game in a Blues shirt against the might of Liverpool. The story was not the same this time around.

Fernandez was initially deployed higher up the pitch as a number 10, but too often was chasing his first touch and turning backwards. When moved deeper into midfield, he allowed Kovacic to burst away from him and score the second goal of the day.

At £105m, Chelsea quite literally can't afford for him to go through another year of treading water at best. The pressure is on for him to deliver.

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