Chelsea survived an early scare when Crystal Palace had an Eberechi Eze goal controversially disallowed in a scrappy 0-0 draw in the Premier League on Sunday.
Chelsea, whose last competitive outing was winning the Club World Cup last month, failed to stamp their authority on the game against the FA Cup holders in warm southwest London sunshine.
The visitors looked to have taken the lead in the 13th minute but referee Darren England consulted the pitchside monitor and ruled Palace captain Marc Guehi, who shoved Moises Caicedo out of the way, was too close to Chelsea’s defensive wall when Eze took a free kick on the edge of the area.
Chelsea, who finished fourth last season and won the Conference League, gave starts to some of their recent youthful signings including Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens, but it was 18-year-old Brazilian substitute Estevao who made the most impact, with a lively performance down the right wing.
Haaland scores brace as Man City route Wolves
Erling Haaland bagged a brace while summer signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki scored on their Premier League debuts as City got off to the perfect start courtesy of a 4-0 opening day victory at Wolves.
Reijnders, a summer arrival from AC Milan, delivered an eye-catching performance in midfield, directly involved in three goals as Pep Guardiola’s side made a powerful statement at the start of the new season.
Manchester City, who ended last year without silverware for the first time in eight seasons, wasted little time in laying down a marker. Haaland first spurned an early chance, stretching to head over, but soon opened his account by turning in Rico Lewis’ driven cross from close range in the 35th minute.
Four minutes later, Reijnders capped a sweeping counterattack with a precise low strike into the corner to double the lead. The Dutchman continued to dictate the tempo and, on the hour, teed up Haaland for his second with the Norwegian hammering home to make it 3-0. Substitute Rayan Cherki added further gloss late on with a composed effort.
Wolves fought gamely, with Marshall Munetsi’s thumping header disallowed for offside and Jorgen Strand Larsen firing into the side netting.
For Manchester City, the evening brought another positive as goalkeeper James Trafford impressed on his Premier League debut in Ederson’s absence, keeping a clean sheet with authority.
This was City’s ninth consecutive away game to open the Premier League season – and eighth triumph in that time. It also represented their 14th opening day win across the last 15 seasons, the exception being a 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur in 2021/22.