English Premier League: Title holder Chelsea humbled by Man City

CNN  — 

There is rewriting history – and then there’s rewriting history.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho diverted attention for his side’s lackluster 2-2 draw in its opener last weekend by demoting medical staff Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn but Sunday he was left with few excuses as City dominated from the start.

Read: Chelsea doctor left in the cold

Read: Chelsea doctor left in the cold

Begovic, making his full debut after the red card for first choice Thibaut Courtois against Swansea on the opening day of the season, had made a hat-trick of saves to deny Aguero before the opener just after the half hour by the Argentina striker.

Mourinho told a post match press conference that he believed his side had been on top in the second half but it was only able to muster two shots on target throughout and two late goals sealed his team’s fate.

City captain Kompany headed in David Silva’s corner for the second and midfielder Fernandinho rounded off a superb team display with a thumping shot past Begovic, who was blameless for all three goals.

Chelsea captain John Terry was substituted for the first time in over 170 games – glumly sitting out the second half as a result of a tactical change, according to Mourinho – with Kurt Zouma coming on.

“I know that Zouma is the fastest defender we have in the squad and in that moment Man City are going to play counter-attack,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“They are going to play long balls to Aguero and Zouma is a different player than John and it was proven completely right as Zouma was in complete control.

City’s comprehensive win in front of a 54,000 capacity crowd at the Eithad Stadium sent Manuel Pellegrini’s men top of the standings after two matches, having routed West Bromwich Albion 3-0 in the opener last Monday.

Whether Zouma’s appearance did add to defensive stability might be open to question, given the late strikes and a total of 17 shots on target to delight the home fans in a 54,000 capacity crowd.

It has left Manuel Pellegrini’s men top of the standings after two matches, scoring six goals without reply, having routed West Bromwich Albion 3-0 in the opener last Monday.

Earlier Sunday, Arsenal improved after an opening day defeat to West Ham to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace in another London derby.

Arsenal went ahead through Olivier Giroud as he volleyed home a Mesut Ozil cross, but Palace drew level through Joel Ward.

Connor Wickham hit the post for an always lively home team, but Alexis Sanchez saw his 55th minute effort sliced into his own net by Damian Delaney.

Sanchez, starting for Arsenal after sitting on the bench for most of the West Ham defeat, was always influential and might have put the Gunners ahead with a series of efforts in the first half.