Elling Holan succeeded in perfect revenge on Mark Cucurella, who provoked him.
Manchester City defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the opening match of the first round of the 2024-2025 English Premier League (EPL) at Stamford Bridge in London, England, at 0:30 a.m. on the 19th (Korea time). Manchester City's opening win clearly marked their first start to the league's first five-game losing streak. Chelsea had trouble scoring despite their better-than-expected performance.
It is the official debut of Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who grew up under Pep Guardiola. Maresca selected Nikola Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Rabia, Marlo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Cucurella and Robert Sanchez as starters.
Guardiola, who prepared to face off against his disciples, started Bernardu Silva, Jeremy Doku, Sabiu, Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Hoobeng Díaz, Joschko Gvardiol and Ederson with Holan as the center.
Chelsea performed better than expected, but Manchester City's attack was sharper. In the 8th minute of the first half, Savinho accurately pushed through Silva. Silva even tried to finish, but it led to a corner kick.
Manchester City's attack also unfolded in the 11th minute of the first half. Lewis broke Chelsea's turn of attack. Doku took over and continued to shoot, but it was out of the way. Doku's presence began to become more intense. After Doku exchanged seats with Saviou, he pushed the pass to Silva. Silva exquisitely sent Holan a pass as he fell. After Holan overcame the competition with Cucurella by force, he scored the first goal with a calm shot.
Holan avenged Cucurella. After winning Euro 2024 for Spain, Cucurella drinks paella, Cucurella drinks Estella. She provoked Holan by singing a song at the victory celebration party, "She was shaking when she heard that Cucurella was coming." Holan was not discouraged at all by Cucurella's approach, and showed himself like a scoring monster.
Manchester City's offensive is getting stronger. In the 22nd minute of the first half, Sabiu shook the Chelsea defense as he advanced. The Bruyne took over and tried to shoot a mid-range shot, but it was slightly off. In the 36th minute of the first half, Doku's bold mid-range shot from the center headed into the net, but Sanchez hit it.
Chelsea are starting to finish their attack. After going through Palmer, Nkunku and Jackson in the 38th minute of the first half, Enzo had a chance to shoot. Enzo's shot was blocked by hand-to-hand defense. In the 38th minute of the first half, Manchester City launched a counterattack. Silva finished after going through Doku from Savinho, but the goalkeeper was saved. The first half was Manchester City's advantage.
At the start of the second half, Manchester City put Phil Foden in place of Sabiu, who felt something wrong with his knee. The Foden input effect was definitely there. Six minutes into the second half, Browner put together the attack and handed it to Silva. Silva received the ball between the defense and handed it over to Holan. Holan's powerful shot was blocked by Sanchez.
Chelsea left Nkunku out in the 13th minute of the second half and put in Pedro Netu, who they signed this summer. It's Netu's debut game. Chelsea missed a crucial opportunity. As soon as Netu was put in, he put up a sharp cross. Palmer's header missed the mark. Jackson threw himself to finish the ball that Gusto raised back to the gate, but Ederson reacted momentarily and hit it.
In the 23rd minute of the second half, coach Maresca tried to make a change by excluding Jackson and Rabia and adding Dewsbury Hall and Marc Kiu. Chelsea increased their share after the change, but the players were out of sync one after another. In the 35th minute of the second half, Cucurella complained of injury, so Henatu Beiga was dispatched instead.
Manchester City focused on the game. In the 39th minute of the second half, Fofana's pass was blocked by Kovacic. Kovacic dribbled himself, overwhelmed three defenders and shook Chelsea's net with a fantastic shot. Kovacic, a Chelsea native, refrained from celebrating goals.
Manchester City completed their opening match victory by controlling Chelsea's last-minute offensive. Guardiola presented his student Maresca with the bitter taste of losing his debut match.
rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
