Chelsea 0-2 Man City: Player ratings as champions steamroll Blues in first big six showdown | OneFootball

The first clash of the 2024/25 season between the Premier League‘s “big six” occurred this afternoon as Chelsea hosted champions Manchester City in the opening round’s marquee fixture.

Under new leadership, the Blues couldn’t hand new head coach Enzo Maresca a winning start after his former employers, City, ran out 2-0 winners. A goal in each half from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovačić was enough to secure all three points for the four-time kings of English football.

As the dust begins to settle, here’s how the players rated at Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea

Robert Sánchez – 6 – He made up for conceding when he produced a top save in the 37th minute. Doku found space about 25 yards out and connected much better with his strike. The shot took a slick deflection and swerved dangerously in the air. Sánchez helped it over the bar with a flying save.

Malo Gusto – 6 – Occasionally, he found himself in and around Man City’s final third, but the usually dependable and impressive right-back couldn’t get his bearings right to produce a good end product.

Wesley Fofana – 6 – A cruciate ligament tear and subsequent recovery meant Fofana missed the entirety of last season, so this was a welcome return.

Levi Colwill – 6.5 – He didn’t really make any mistakes except for being the Chelsea defender that Haaland bulldozed through to break the deadlock.

Marc Cucurella – 6.5 – Enjoyed a fascinating battle with Doku down Chelsea’s left flank. Despite the Belgian’s fleetness of foot, the Euro 2024-winning fullback often had his number. It wasn’t the case when Savinho switched flanks; the Brazilian winger often gave Cucurella a headache.

Roméo Lavia – 7 – An injury-plagued season reduced him to 32 minutes of football last term. Back in the fold under Maresca, this was an opportunity to remind everyone why the Blues paid top dollar for his services. Brief moments but nothing were indicating this was a keynote outing.

Moisés Caicedo – 6 – Picked up a late yellow card by then, Cacideo’s race had been run. He was swallowed by City’s midfield roulette, thus rendering him ineffective.

Enzo Fernández – 6.5 – Inheriting the captain’s armband this season, Martinez took up a deep-lying forward position but was often too close to the halfway line. As a result, the World Cup winner was frequently overrun in the middle third.

Cole Palmer – 7 – No one registered more goal involvements in the Premier League last season (33 – 22 goals, 11 assists), so if anyone in Blue were to give the champions a headache, it would be their former academy graduate. However, on this occasion, Palmer’s threat was effectively neutralised.

Nicolas Jackson – 6 – Much maligned in his debut campaign last term, he had put the ball into the net on the stroke of half-time, but it was a self-inflicted error. “Jackson has crept forward for no reason, and it has cost his team. It’s sloppy,” was Gary Neville’s verdict on Sky Sports commentary.

Christopher Nkunku – 6.5 – Feels like a new signing for Chelsea following a stop-start debut campaign. Saw plenty of the ball, but his decision-making was lacking. We are still waiting to see the Nkunku we witnessed in Leipzig at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro Neto (for Nkunku 58) – 6 – Showed determination and hustle after coming on. It won’t be long before he’s a regular starter for the Blues.

Marc Guiu (for Jackson 67) – 5 – A very inauspicious debut for the former Leicester man, who truthfully was thrown into the lion’s den. Better days are surely ahead.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (for Lavia 67) – 5 – Became the fourth youngest Spaniard to play in the Premier League (18 years, 227 days), behind Cesc Fàbregas (17y 103d), Stefan Bajcetic (17y 309d) and Manu Garcia (18y 63d).

Renato Veiga (for Cucurella 80) – N/A – A late sub.

Man City

Ederson – 7 – Heart-stopping moment for the often erratic Brazilian goalkeeper, who made a terrible mistake just before halftime. A really basic error from him, regardless of whether it was called offside. You can’t be letting those slip through your fingers.

Rico Lewis – 7 – Playing beyond his years, Lewis is an exceptional talent. It will not be long before he plays as City’s first-choice right-back, especially considering Kyle Walker’s steady and unnoticed decline over the last year.

Manuel Akanji – 6.5 – Always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Akanji’s reading of the game is exceptional, and in John Stones’s absence, they have a more than credible backup.

Rúben Dias – 7 – Since joining Man City a few years ago, he has only experienced success, once being the undisputed centre-back of the Premier League. Although there is now a debate about this, based on today’s performance, Dias, who effectively led City’s defence, is gradually returning to his former top form.

Josko Gvardiol – 7 – Initially recruited as a centre-back, he excelled in Guardiola’s false left-back position. Gvardiol continues to impress, but it’s his tireless work ethic that would please his manager the most.

Mateo Kovacic – 8 – Back at his former stomping ground, the Croatian international delivered another hardworking performance to compensate for the absence of Rodri, who usually dominates these tough midfield battles. After gathering a loose clearance from Chelsea, he sealed the win with a fine goal.

Kevin De Bruyne – 7 – The conductor of this City machine, De Bruyne, showcased another impressive playmaking performance, putting any doubts about his form to rest. He effectively facilitated his team’s attacks, leading to problems for Chelsea’s defence.

Bernardo Silva – 7.5 – His clever touch fed the ball to Haaland, and the Norwegian marksman did the rest to put City ahead. This was his 43rd assist in the Premier League; no Portuguese player has registered more in completion history (level with Nani).

Jérémy Doku – 7 – You can sometimes feel that Doku’s mind is moving faster than his body. His chaotic energy means opposing fullbacks are not given any room to breathe. On a more effective day he could have walked away with a goal, assist, or two.

Savinho – 7 – Electrified the Spanish top division last season while on loan at Girona, where he bagged 11 goals across 41 appearances. On his Premier League debut for Man City, this was a chance to cement a regular starting berth. Donning the same number previously worn by Riyad Mahrez, he delivered a performance of similar quality, but came off at half-time, but no one created more chances (three) or successful dribbles (three) for either team when he was on the pitch.

Erling Haaland – 7.5 – Understandably, all eyes were on the double Premier League Golden Boot winner. Broke the deadlock through sheer willpower. On his 100th appearance for City, he netted his 91st goal.