Gallery: Kovacic stunner sinks Chelsea!

Mateo Kovacic’s stunning solo effort and Erling Haaland’s assured finish inspired City to a convincing 2-0 Premier League victory over Chelsea, beginning our 2024/25 campaign in perfect fashion.

Pep Guardiola‘s men took the lead after just 18 minutes, with Haaland showing incredible strength and balance to hold off Marc Cucurella before dinking expertly beyond Robert Sanchez.

The number nine now has 91 goals in 100 appearances for City and claimed his fifth opening fixture goal, after away braces against West Ham and Burnley in his previous two season openers.

Jeremy Doku came close to adding a second shortly after, with his deflected strike forcing Sanchez to acrobatically tip of the crossbar.

The hosts did find the net through Nicolas Jackson shortly before the interval, tapping in after Ederson parried Cole Palmer‘s powerful drive, but the striker was penalised for being in an offside position.

Shortly after the hour mark, it was City’s turn to see a goal disallowed, with a thunderous Rico Lewis strike ruled out for a foul in the build up by Haaland on Levi Colwill.

Kovacic then doubled the lead with just over five minutes left to play in normal time, driving through midfield beyond Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, before striking in off the post against his former club, securing all three points at Stamford Bridge.

View the best images from the victory via our gallery below.

AWAY DAY : A trip to the capital to commence our title defence!
SPECIAL GUEST : Our Premier League trophy glistens in the sunshine at Stamford Bridge.
THE BOSS : Leading from the front!
LOOKING SAVVY : Our new boy arrives and is named in the starting XI for the first time.
GRINNING GREALISH : In great mood for the pre-match warm up.
WARM UP : Time to get loose!
PHIL-ING GOOD : Foden shows off some flicks and tricks during the preparations.
APPLAUD : The players applaud the fantastic travelling fans ahead of the game.
GAME TIME : Ready to play!
KING KEV : Gets on the ball early on.
CENTURION : Haaland dinks us ahead on his 100th appearance for City!
HIGH FIVES : Haaland and De Bruyne celebrate.
GROUP HUG : Haaland feels the love!
DANGEROUS DOKU : On the hunt for a second.
REACHING RICO : Stretches to bring the ball under control.

SILKY SAVINHO : So fluid with the ball.
PEP TEAM : The boss and his backroom staff watch on.
RICO REACTS : Goal disallowed.
ASSURED AKANJI : Defending well.
DOUBLE TROUBLE : Kovacic doubles the lead!
LOUD AND PROUD : A brilliant three points!
ROAR : Bernardo enjoyed that one!
SQUAD GOALS : What a performance, what a team!