Pep Guardiola's strategy to allow Manchester City's key players extra recovery time post-Euro 2024 proved beneficial on Sunday, as their substitutes contributed to a 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge under new coach Enzo Maresca. Kyle Walker, John Stones, and Phil Foden, integral to England's Euro campaign, were among those rested, along with Spain's Rodri, who is recovering from an injury sustained in Germany. In their stead, Rico Lewis and Savinho posed significant threats to Chelsea, while Mateo Kovacic, stepping in for Rodri, secured City's win with a goal in the 84th minute, following Erling Haaland's opener in the 18th minute.
Guardiola expressed his surprise and honor at the performance of the stand-ins, particularly praising Kovacic for his role in Rodri's absence, which last season correlated with three league defeats for City. He commended Kovacic's character, describing him as 'an incredible human being' and 'top-class'.
Manchester City, aiming for a record-extending fifth consecutive Premier League title, face potential sanctions for alleged financial rule violations, which the club strongly denies. In contrast to City's approach, Chelsea fielded players like Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer who had featured in the Euro final, showcasing the style expected by their American owners, who have appointed four managers since acquiring the club in 2022.
Despite Chelsea's efforts, highlighted by penalty appeals and Nicolas Jackson's missed opportunity, it was City who dominated, with Maresca acknowledging the fine margins that decided the match. Haaland's goal was upheld despite a close offside call, while Jackson's potential equalizer was ruled out for offside. Maresca noted the key differences lay in the execution inside the box and City's effective ball management in the final stages of the game.
