MCI Post-Match Review: Chelsea vs Manchester City

A thrilling 0-2 fixture saw Manchester City leave Stamford Bridge with a vital, momentum-setting result. With important players such as Rodri and Foden not in the starting lineup, there were questions on how Manchester City would look in the first game of the season away against Chelsea. The doubters were put to rest today as City breezed to a clean sheet and positive result, thanks to goals from Erling Haaland and former Chelsea player Mateo Kovacic.

First Half Display

City struggled at first to settle in this match, with signs of rust being displayed by some of our returning senior players. But once the gears started to click and the boys shook off the early season jitters, there was simply no chance for Chelsea. New signing Savinho received his first start on the left wing with the electric Belgian, Jérémy Doku manning the opposite side. However, a mere 10 minutes into the match, it became very clear that Cucurella, who was coming off a fantastic Euros performance, was up for the battle against Doku. That lead to a switching of the wings, which suited both players quite well. Doku seemed much more at ease and less forceful in his actions. It didn’t take much longer for City to score their first of the season, with Erling Haaland shrugging off the aforementioned Spanish international in the 18th minute for yet another goal in his 100th appearance for the boys in blue. Doku’s phenomenal ball received the slightest of touches from Bernardo Silva, who was credited with the assist, his 43rd Premier League assist of his career.

Following a stellar season for CFG-owned Girona, the newly-signed Savinho dazzled in what was his Premier League debut for Manchester City. The fleetfooted Brazilian winger put on a sensational, well-rounded display in the first half: 3 chances created, 5 duels won, and a perfect 3 for 3 on taking on his man. He also benefited from swapping wings with Doku, as he was giving Cucurella a torrid time on the right hand side of the pitch. With a unique skillset reminiscent of the man who wore his #26 at City prior, the young Samba star truly shined, displaying a range of on and off ball qualities that hint at his becoming a bonafide star in the making for Manchester City. Unfortunately, his day was cut short with a slight injury around the 40-minute mark and was subbed off at halftime. 

Second Half Talk

Savio made way for Phil Foden at halftime. In what was likely a predetermined benching due to lack of match fitness, Phil looked calm, composed, and every much the veteran in his post-Euro return. City’s defense started shaky but finished strong, stepping up at the most crucial moments and stifling Chelsea’s attack. Special recognition must be given to Rico Lewis, who put in arguably the best defensive performance of his young City career, clearing a fantastic cross from Enzo in the box that Pedro Neto likely would’ve scored if his positioning wasn’t perfect. Ederson also made a crucial stop, saving a point black shot from Nicolas Jackson, who essentially lived offsides for the entire match. It was all City from here on out, with Chelsea unable to put together any sort of offensive rhythm. Kevin De Bruyne, kicking off his 10th season for the club with the Captain’s band on his arm, had a lovely chance to lay off the simple ball for Foden but instead took the shot himself, much to a sprinting Foden’s dismay. And as it was for most of the day, despite finding himself in acres of space for most of the day, Doku continued to struggle with his final ball and decision-making. Something that will need to improve moving forward. 

No one-goal lead is safe and it was Mateo Kovacic stepping up for the nail in the coffin. Dribbling past 2-3 defenders, Kova burst forward onto the edge of the box and fired an absolute missile of a shot, soaring past the outstretched fingertips of Robert Sanchez for the second goal of a game. With the imperious Rodri also unavailable today, Kovacic showed his class in a resounding way, making him my man of the match. 

Post-Game Thoughts/Notes: 

• Rico Lewis needs to play more minutes throughout the season, a top-notch youngster with a ton of IQ.
• With two-goal leads and Jeremy Doku on, Jack Grealish should be replacing him. Won’t lose possession as much, controls the game and will force fouls leading to more time being wasted. 
• Ruben Dias performance today went under the radar, he had two huge clearances in the box. 
• Jeremy Doku was superb for most of the game, finishing with most duels won (10), most fouls won (4), most take-ons completed (5), and most possessions won (8).

Written by: Damien Flores

Edited by: Sheikh