By ADAM TROXTELL
Everton persevered, but there’s just no stopping a Manchester City side in its current mood.
The Citizens made it three straight wins to start the season by netting twice in the second half for a 2-0 win on Sunday. Second-half substitute Samir Nasri applied the dagger with two minutes to go, following up a strike from Aleksandar Kolarov at the hour-mark.
For its effort, Everton managed four shots on target and held Man City scoreless for the first half and some change. But already with six goals from its first two matches, it was only a matter of time before the league leaders got the breakthrough.
Raheem Sterling provided his first bit of magic for Man City in league play, taking defender John Stones inside before laying the ball off. Kolarov picked it up for a low finish past goalkeeper Tim Howard for a 1-0 lead.
Though Man City never really looked like losing, Nasri assured the win in the 88th minute. The French attacker combined with Yaya Toure to get in on goal and lifted his shot over Howard to double the advantage.
Elsewhere, opening games weren’t kind to either Juventus or Real Madrid. Barcelona, meanwhile, exacted revenge against Athletic Bilbao.
Here is a complete look at Sunday’s action across Europe:
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea put a tough start to the season behind them with a 3-2 win on the road against West Brom on Sunday, though it was less than comfortable.
Latest signing Pedro opened the scoring on his debut in the 20th minute, and he provided the Blues’ second 10 minutes later. Diego Costa slid in at the back post to direct a low cross from his Spanish compatriot home for a 2-0 lead.
James Morrison then pulled one back for the hosts in the36th minute, but Cesar Azpilicueta restored the two goal advantage before halftime. It looked like Chelsea might cruise from there.
Things took a different turn when John Terry was sent off in the 55th minute for bringing down West Brom striker Salomon Rondon as the last man back. Four minutes later, Morrison’s second pulled the Baggies back.
Six shots on target did not produce a third, handing Chelsea its first win of the season.
Elsewhere, Watford and Southampton finished their game scoreless.
ITALIAN SERIE A
It’s not a party until the champions arrive, but apparently Udinese like to spoil these things.
Juventus fell in its first match of the 2015-16 season, with the visitors pulling off a 1-0 win thanks to a goal late in the second half. Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic made his debut for the defending champions of Italy, but he was unable to mark it with anything special.
Juve had eight shots on target turned away by the Udinese defense and goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis. That allowed Cyril Thereau to sneak in at the back post to tap home a cross from Panagiotis Kone in the 78th minute for the winner.
Inter Milan is off and running thanks to a 1-0 win against Atalanta. New signing Stevan Jovetic scored in the third minute of stoppage time with a curling effort to the far post.
Here are all of Sunday’s results from Serie A action:
Juventus 0, Udinese 1
Empoli 1, Chievo 3
Fiorentina 2, AC Milan 0
Frosinone 1, Torino 2
Inter 1, Atalanta 0
Palermo 1, Genoa 0
Sampdoria 5, Carpi 2
Sassuolo 2, Napoli 1
SPANISH PRIMERA DIVISION
Humbled by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona ensured that result did not translate to La Liga play.
The Blaugrana topped Athletic, 1-0, thanks to a second half strike from Luis Suarez. Minus the injured Neymar, Barca set off on the right foot to retain its La Liga title.
But a chance to go ahead was squandered first. Gorka Elustondo was adjudged to have tripped Suarez in the box for a Barcelona penalty in the 30th minute. Lionel Messi stepped up, but this time he was bested by goalkeeper Iraizoz Moreno who guessed right to make the save.
All was well for the visitors in the 54th minute. Jordi Alba raced forward down the left before sending in a cross that Suarez volleyed into the net from eight yards out.
Real Madrid had less luck as Sporting Gijon held Los Blancos to a 0-0 draw. Real put eight shots on frame but never put one across the line in manager Rafa Benitez’s first game in charge.
Celta Vigo topped 10-man Levante, 2-1. Finally, a late strike helped Real Betis share the spoils with Villarreal in a 1-1 draw.
GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Borussia Dortmund continued a hot start to the season against promoted Ingolstadt.
Four different players scored in a 4-0 win for Dortmund on the road. Matthias Ginter began the rout by finding the back of the net in the 56th minute.
Marco Reus dispatched a penalty kick five minutes later for a 2-0 lead. Shinji Kagawa and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in the final five minutes for Dortmund’s second straight 4-0 win in the league.
Borussia Monchengladbach suffered a second straight defeat at home, losing 2-1 to Mainz. Jairo put Mainz ahead after a dominant first half in the 42nd minute.
Patrick Herrmann gave M’gladbach the equalizer in the 54th minute, but Christian Clemens won it for Mainz with about 10 minutes to go.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Marseille’s season is off and running after an overwhelming 6-0 win against promoted side Troyes.
A 1-0 halftime lead quickly multiplied soon after the second half began. Lassana Diarra and Michy Batshuayi scored within 10 minutes of each other. Batshuayi later scored his second to complete the rout in stoppage time.
Saint-Etienne also grabbed a first win of the season, with Romain Hamouma scoring in the 87th minute for a 1-0 win against 10-man Lorient. Lille and Bordeaux finished scoreless.