Man City cruise past Chelsea

LONDON: Manchester City kicked off their search for a fifth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 win away to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

City were without Spain international midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez and had just sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid, but Erling Haaland was in their starting 11 and the Norwegian opened the scoring in the 25th minute as he clipped the ball over Robert Sanchez from close range.

New City signing Savio impressed in the first half but was replaced by Phil Foden at halftime after suffering an apparent knee injury.

Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic assured the points six minutes from time after controlling the ball on his chest, surging past two defenders and beating Sanchez with a powerful shot.

Chelsea's former Manchester City and England winger, Raheem Sterling was left out of Maresca's squad and the player released a statement before the game started saying he would look for "clarity" over his situation.

Bryan Mbuemo put Brentford ahead minutes after England international, Eberechi Eze had seen a goal controversially ruled out for a prior foul.

The visitors leveled 10 minutes after the break when Daniel Munoz's nod-down gave Ethan Pinnock problems and he put the ball into his own net, but Yoan Wissa poked home the winner for Brentford with 16 minutes left to play.

Brentford coach Thomas Frank admitted after the game that England striker Ivan Toney had been left out due to "transfer interest."