By In a high-scoring pre-season encounter, Erling Haaland’s hat-trick propelled Manchester City to a 4-2 victory over Chelsea at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The match, witnessed by 68,000 spectators, showcased City’s clinical finishing and exposed Chelsea’s defensive frailties under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Haaland, the 24-year-old Norwegian striker, wasted no time in making his mark on the game. He capitalized on two disastrous Chelsea mistakes within the first five minutes, setting the tone for what would be a challenging night for the London club. The first goal came from the penalty spot after Levi Colwill brought down Haaland following a loose pass from Tosin Adarabioyo. Moments later, Haaland pounced on a miscued pass from Moises Caicedo to double City’s lead.
The second half saw City extend their advantage with two more quick-fire goals. Oscar Bobb took advantage of a Raheem Sterling error to score in the 55th minute, and just a minute later, Haaland completed his hat-trick after another mistake, this time from Malo Gusto. Chelsea managed to salvage some pride with late goals from Sterling and Noni Madueke, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.
Despite the scoreline, Chelsea’s new manager Enzo Maresca insisted that his team played well in what he described as a “strange” game. Both managers pointed to the “dry” pitch as a contributing factor to the errors in possession. However, it’s clear that Maresca’s tactical approach, which involves playing out from the back, needs refining. The Italian coach acknowledged that errors are inevitable with this style but believes it will ultimately lead to progress.
For Manchester City, the match highlighted the depth of their squad and the potential of their young talents. Jack Grealish, using the disappointment of his Euro 2024 omission as motivation, impressed with his aggressive play and link-up with Haaland. Manager Pep Guardiola praised Grealish’s performance, noting his sharpness in training and on the pitch.
Several City youngsters also caught the eye, including Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis, James McAtee, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, and Nico O’Reilly. With many senior players still to return from international duty, these performances give Guardiola plenty to consider ahead of the Community Shield clash against Manchester United.
Chelsea, meanwhile, remain in the United States for matches against Real Madrid and Inter Milan, giving Maresca more opportunities to refine his tactical approach. Questions remain about how players like Reece James and Malo Gusto will adapt to the new system, which sees several players in unfamiliar positions.
As the pre-season progresses, both teams will look to build on this match. Manchester City return to the UK to face Manchester United in the Community Shield, while Chelsea continue their preparations in the US before returning to Stamford Bridge. For City, the clinical finishing of Haaland and the promising performances of their young players bode well for the upcoming season. Chelsea, on the other hand, will need to address their defensive issues and adapt to Maresca’s new system if they hope to challenge for honors in the coming campaign.
