The National's Sport cover for the Monday, August 17 issue, featuring Manuel Pellegrini and Manchester City as they mastered Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.
It was an all-encompassing win over last term's Premier League champions by the 2013/14 champions, with Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho scoring at the Etihad Stadium.
Richard Jolly, analysing the outcome, writes:
“Manchester City’s excellence amounted to a resounding endorsement of Pellegrini, of his principles and his persona.
“This was his biggest win over Mourinho. It was the Portuguese’s joint heaviest defeat as Chelsea manager.”
It’s only two weeks in, Richard acknowledges, but the quality of those two weeks is clear.
“The defending champions looked the lesser side. City were the more positive and the more progressive. They passed the ball better. They produced a statement of ambition, attacking from the off. They did not change their side to counter Chelsea. Sergio Aguero had more shots on target himself than Chelsea managed as a team.
“Chelsea’s endeavour was fruitless, City’s class ominous.”
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