The standard is set by Manchester City during their impressive win over Chelsea | OneFootball

Yesterday saw Manchester City begin their 24/25 with an impressive 2-nil win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Pep Guardiola’s side expertly navigated a tricky test to come away with three points. The win saw the champions set the standard for what lies ahead this season. If yesterday’s win is the standard for Manchester City then their rivals will have to step up to challenge City’s era of dominance this season.

Heading into yesterday’s game then champions had every excuse to not be at their best. A host of Pep Guardiola’s side’s key players came into the game underdone. After a busy summer for City’s stars at the European Championships, rest has been the main priority for City’s stars during the summer. There was a ready-made excuse for the champions to not be at their best. But the standards at the world champions are such that excuses are not acceptable. While it wasn’t a vintage performance from Pep Guardiola’s side they successfully navigated a tricky test expertly.

READ MORE: City player ratings from Manchester City’s impressive 2-nil win over Chelsea.

The champions weren’t at their free-flowing best, that usually comes after Christmas. But they did control proceedings at Stamford Bridge for large portions of yesterday’s game. When Chelsea did push and probe the champions their ability to control the tempo of the game was key to their victory. It is underestimated ability of Pep Guardiola’s side to take the sting out of games. They did that yesterday during the second half when Chelsea threatened to equalise.

After Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Chelsea did have their moments, especially just before halftime. But after halftime, the champions stepped up their game. Nicolas Jackson did see a golden opportunity well saved by Ederson in the 61st minute. But after that City controlled the tempo of the game. That control set the scene for Mateo Kovacic to end the game as a contest with a sublime finish in the 84th minute. By the time Kovacic scored the champions had completed the job they came to do. They picked up three points at a tough stadium to visit. It was a standard-setting win by the champions on the opening weekend of the season.

Speaking after his team’s win Pep Guardiola was impressed with his team’s victory. He said it was a privilege and an honour to manage Manchester City. He told the media: “I am so impressed but not surprised. That’s what I expect for this level and commitment. It’s such a privilege and honour to be manager of this club and players. To do this after winning so well and lack of preparation. The good news is we won; the bad news is we have 70 more games. We will prepare Ipswich and West Ham before the international break, and after that, we will have the team for the season.”

Manchester City have set the standard for what lies ahead this season. A comfortable win at Stamford Bridge is nothing to sneeze at. Given that the season is a marathon and not a sprint there is still plenty of work to do for Manchester City. But they have started the new campaign ominously. Pep Guardiola also told the media that he wants his team to perform like a champion team. He told the media: “If you are the best team in England for 38 games, you are going to defend the crown. We have to behave like we were, a champion team. Especially in the bad moments, I like to see that. I said we would have to suffer, this defines the best teams. In the bad moments, we were composed and we did it.”