Erling Haaland has marked his 100th appearance for Manchester City with a spectacular goal, bringing his tally to an impressive 91 goals. The Norwegian striker spearheaded City’s 2-0 triumph over Chelsea on Sunday, signaling the team's strong start in their quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Haaland's milestone came in the 18th minute when he received the ball on the edge of the area, deftly maneuvered between Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella, and delicately placed the ball past Robert Sanchez. This goal also highlights Haaland's consistency, as he has scored five goals in three league openers since joining City in 2022.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland's form, stating, \"I had a feeling that he feels better than last season at this stage. He feels good, and the goal was magnificent.\" Haaland's ability to stay sharp is attributed to his rest during the summer break from international duty.
The second goal came from Mateo Kovacic in the 84th minute, further securing the win against Chelsea. Kovacic, who replaced the injured Rodri, intercepted a high ball and launched a precise shot that found its way through the post, doubling City’s lead.
While Chelsea struggled to find their scoring touch, City capitalized on their opportunities effectively. New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faced a tough debut as his team failed to break through City’s defenses, despite significant summer investments. Nicolas Jackson had a goal disallowed for offside before halftime and later missed a close-range volley against City goalkeeper Ederson.
Despite the loss, there were positive signs for Chelsea’s new manager. Romeo Lavia made his first league start after battling injuries last season and formed a promising midfield partnership with Moises Caicedo. Additionally, Pedro Neto made a noteworthy debut after his high-profile transfer from Wolverhampton, almost scoring shortly after coming on.
Manchester City continues to showcase why they are favorites for the Premier League title, with Haaland’s exceptional performance at the forefront of their attacking prowess.
Reference(s):
Haaland scores in 100th game for Manchester City to defeat Chelsea 2-0
cgtn.com
