Erling Haaland scored a hat trick as Manchester City thrashed Chelsea 4-2 in front of over 70,000 fans at Ohio Stadium.
Haaland showed no signs of the muscle injury he picked up in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona to help Pep Guardiola’s team to a comfortable win over their Premier League rivals.
The Norwegian striker scored twice in the first five minutes in Columbus, Ohio, on what was a worrying night for new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca — a former City coach — as his players made a number of costly mistakes.
Haaland, again named captain by Guardiola, scored a penalty after four minutes and less than a minute later had his second.
Chelsea’s attempts to play out from the back ended with Moisés Caicedo misplacing a pass and Haaland leapt onto the chance to take a touch into the box and tuck his finish past Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea’s best chance of the half fell to Christopher Nkunku who got behind the City defence, but Stefan Ortega, starting ahead of Éderson, was equal to it and deflected his effort wide.
Oscar Bobb got the third goal soon after half-time before Chelsea gifted City a fourth.
James McAtee won the ball back in midfield and when the ball was worked into Haaland, he scored his third with a clinical left-foot finish.
Former City winger Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke pulled two goals back for Chelsea to ensure there was no humiliation, but the first hour was a stark reminder to Maresca about the work he still has to do.
City are next in action against Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday before facing Chelsea again on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
