The ball rolled at Stamford Bridge and, as expected, Haaland didn't disappoint. Manchester City went into the game with the clear objective of getting the 2024/25 Premier League off to a flying start, and that's exactly what happened. With an early goal from the Norwegian striker, City secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Chelsea, sending a clear message to their rivals: we're ready for another winning season.
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Haaland completed 100 games in a City shirt and, as usual, made his mark. The striker doesn't need many chances to score, and that's exactly what he did. In the 18th minute, after a fine pass from Doku, the Norwegian broke free of his marker and, with the precision that has become his signature, finished with mastery. It was one of those goals that makes defenders rethink their lives, while the visiting fans in London erupted with joy.
It's not news to anyone that Haaland is a goal-scoring machine. Since arriving at Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, he has broken a number of records and established himself as one of the greatest goalscorers the Premier League has ever seen. That's 91 goals in 100 games - an impressive record that few players manage to achieve in their entire career. And the scariest thing? He's only just getting started.
But what makes Haaland so special? Apart from his obvious ability to score goals, he's a player who can adapt to different game situations. Against Chelsea, he only had 17 touches of the ball, but every one of them was crucial. He knows that his role is not just to finish, but also to open up space for his teammates, drag the ball forward and create chances. He's a complete player, who understands the game and knows exactly where he needs to be to be decisive.
The win over Chelsea also showed Manchester City's collective strength. Pep Guardiola has assembled a balanced team that knows how to dominate the game even away from home. Kovacic, formerly of Chelsea, rounded off the scoring with a stunning late goal, showing that City don't just rely on Haaland to win. The team is sharp, the defense solid, the midfield creative, and the attack, as always, lethal.
This debut is a clear sign that Manchester City are back in the title race. Is it surprising? No, it was obviously expected. With rivals like Arsenal and Liverpool also winning on the opening day, the Premier League promises to be fierce. But with Haaland at the helm, City have an advantage that few teams can match.
And if you think Haaland has already achieved all he can, you'd better think again. At just 24, he still has a lot to achieve. Last season, despite dealing with injuries, he scored 38 goals in 45 games, more than many players manage in two or three seasons. He's already been voted Premier League Player of the Season, won the Golden Boot and was runner-up in the Ballon d'Or. And all this in just two seasons at the Etihad Stadium.
Now, with the 2024/25 season underway, the question remains: how far can Haaland go? If he continues at this pace, he could easily become one of the greatest players in soccer history. His exploits on the pitch are worthy of legends, and Manchester City fans will certainly be hoping that he continues to do so for many years to come.
Chelsea, on the other hand, need to rethink their strategy. Facing Manchester City is never easy, but they need to find ways to neutralize players like Haaland. On Sunday, the Londoners couldn't find an answer to the Norwegian's talent and ended up paying the price. It's only the start of the season, but it's already clear that the road ahead won't be easy for the Blues.
In the end, what we saw at Stamford Bridge was yet another chapter in the story that Haaland is writing in English soccer. A player who, after just 100 games for City, has already established himself as one of the Premier League's greatest. And with him on the pitch, Manchester City can dream big once again.
The season has only just begun, but Haaland and City have already shown that they are ready for whatever comes their way. And if they keep it up, it won't be a surprise to see this team lift another trophy at the end of the season.