The build-up to Manchester City's first home match of the 2015–16 Premier League season had a different energy about it.
Just days removed from a ruthless 6–0 dismantling of West Bromwich Albion, there was a renewed sense of swagger around the Etihad. The squad looked sharp, hungry, and frighteningly well-drilled. But now came the first real test — Chelsea. The reigning champions. A heavyweight clash, and a chance to lay down a statement of intent.
Outside the stadium, the city buzzed with anticipation. It was a perfect late summer afternoon in Manchester — blue skies over the Etihad, a welcome break from the usual overcast gloom. By early afternoon, thousands of fans were already filtering into the stadium precinct, wrapped in City scarves, jerseys, and Adriano-themed merchandise. Pop-up vendors sold "AR10" shirts by the dozens — his name already on the back of nearly every kid's replica kit.
At the City Square fan zone, energy pulsed from the speakers as pre-match DJs blared classic Oasis, Stone Roses, and more modern fan anthems. Giant screens replayed highlights of the previous week's masterclass, pausing on Adriano's goals to roars from fans gathered with beers and phones aloft.
"That chip, mate!" one young fan shouted, reenacting the finish with his hands. "Cold-blooded."
Pellegrini's decision to stick with the same 4-3-3 formation brought nods of approval from most supporters. They had been experimenting with back threes and false nines in pre-season, but today? It was the classic setup: solid in the back, fluid in the middle, and lethal up front.
The team sheet confirmed the fans' hopes. Joe Hart between the sticks. The new defensive wall of Kimmich, Kompany, Van Dijk, and Robertson. Midfield brilliance in the trio of Silva, De Bruyne, and Adriano — who had stolen the league's attention already. And up front: Salah with his blistering pace, Hazard with his trickery against his former club, and Aguero leading the line.
It was a starting XI that blended maturity, experience, and terrifying attacking verve.
Inside the stadium, the pre-match coverage began to heat up. The Sky Sports team analyzed both lineups pitchside. Jamie Carragher pointed to City's dominance in midfield as the area Chelsea might struggle to contain.
"If Silva and KDB are pulling the strings, and Adriano gets space like he did last week," Carragher said, shaking his head, "you're gonna need Courtois to stand on his head."
Gary Neville added, "But Chelsea's no pushover. Fabregas, Oscar, and Matic — they know how to control tempo. Don't forget Costa thrives on chaos, and City's back line hasn't been tested by someone that physical yet."
Micah Richards, watching from the pundits' panel, grinned. "Aguero to score, Adriano to assist — I've got that down on my bet. But watch out for Salah. He's looked sharp in training. He'll want to run at Ivanovic all day."
As the players came out for warmups, the Etihad rose to its feet. Cheers erupted for every star, but when Adriano jogged out, the volume climbed. Kids lined up along the barrier with pens and posters. A banner hanging in the front row read:
"AR10 — Our New Era Has Begun."
The Chelsea fans — loud as ever — occupied the away corner in full voice. Blue flags waved, and chants for Mourinho echoed, their banner proudly displaying: "The Special One. The Champions."
The pre-match atmosphere thickened as kickoff approached. Chants of "Blue Moon" rose in synchrony, echoing around the stadium, and the big screen cut to the lineups again. Pellegrini, arms folded, watched his team go through final drills. Mourinho, stoic and calculating, stood near the tunnel, giving sharp instructions to Costa and Willian.
Despite Chelsea's rough start to the season, no one expected this to be anything but war. This was the fixture everyone had circled.
"Hazard against Azpi is going to be a fun one," one fan murmured as the cameras panned across the two teams lining up.
"And Adriano vs Matic in that advanced role… I mean, come on. The boy dances."
Up in the stands, the atmosphere was electric.
Every touch in warm-up brought cheers. Every long-range shot from Aguero, Hazard, or Adriano that hit the net got a roar. But the biggest cheer came when Adriano approached the corner of the pitch to acknowledge fans. He clapped, pointed to a young girl holding an "I believe in AR10" sign, and tossed his training bib toward her. The entire section burst into applause.
One older supporter in a sky-blue bucket hat chuckled. "He's nineteen, looks like a boy, but plays like a killer."
By kickoff, the Etihad had turned into a cauldron. The tannoy boomed with the starting lineups, each City name met with deafening approval.
"Number 10… ADRIANO RIVEIRO!"
The stadium thundered.
Then came the Chelsea names. Boos rang out as "Diego Costa" was announced, matched by jeers for Fabregas and Ivanovic. The old rivalry was alive and well.
The referee blew the whistle. Players huddled into last-minute briefings. Pellegrini gave a final thumbs-up from the sideline. Mourinho crouched low, watching the midfield with eagle eyes.
Then, from the stands:
"City! City! City!"
The Premier League was truly back. A sell-out crowd, two title contenders, and a theatre prepared for fireworks.
The fans were on their feet. Everyone could feel it — this wasn't just a game. It was a proving ground. For Pellegrini's revamped squad. For Adriano. For City's title ambitions.
And with kickoff only seconds away, one thing was clear:The Etihad wasn't just ready.It was roaring for war.
****
The whistle blew, and kickoff was underway to a thunderous roar from the Etihad. Manchester City fans were in full voice, waving sky-blue scarves, singing chants that echoed through the stands. Every time a City player touched the ball, the stadium responded — but it was louder, sharper, more electric whenever Adriano received possession. Their King. After his opening day hat trick, anticipation surged with every step he took.
Chelsea looked compact from the start. Mourinho, pacing his technical area with arms folded, had clearly drilled discipline into his side after the Community Shield humiliation. The visitors lined up in their usual 4-3-3 but sat deeper, with Nemanja Matic shielding the backline and Oscar and Fabregas tasked with closing down City's creative midfielders. But City weren't shaken. Pellegrini's side looked fluid in their 4-3-3, confident and calm as they pushed the tempo.
Martin Tyler's voice rang out over the match broadcast, "Plenty of urgency here from Manchester City. They're not wasting time, and they know just how important an early goal could be against Mourinho's men."
City carved the first real chance in the 7th minute. After a spell of possession down the left, Robertson slipped a sharp pass into Eden Hazard, who cut inside with his usual elegance. The Belgian glided past Ivanovic and unleashed a curling right-footed effort — it bent just wide of Courtois' far post.
"Ooh, close one!" Alan Smith noted. "Hazard almost bending that one in with a touch of class. He's looked sharp early on."
Chelsea responded, not willing to simply sit back. In the 12th minute, Pedro got past Robertson with a neat one-two with Willian and swung in a dangerous cross. Diego Costa, ever the nuisance, climbed above Van Dijk but his header lacked power and was gathered cleanly by Joe Hart.
City's midfield trio — Silva, De Bruyne, and Adriano — began to take control midway through the half. De Bruyne dropped deeper to collect, Silva moved between the lines, and Adriano roamed with purpose. He constantly pulled Matic out of position, drifting into half-spaces that made the Chelsea midfield uncomfortable. With the home crowd urging every pass forward, it felt like something was coming.
In the 16th minute, De Bruyne pounced on a loose ball in midfield and released Aguero with a quick through ball. The Argentine striker beat Cahill for pace and went one-on-one with Courtois. He opened his body and tried to slot it into the far corner, but Courtois made himself big and pushed it away with a strong right hand.
"Massive save from the Belgian!" Tyler shouted. "Sergio Aguero thought he had it. But Courtois is keeping Chelsea in it early."
"City getting closer," Smith added. "De Bruyne's vision is slicing through the lines."
Chelsea remained dangerous on the counter. In the 21st minute, Fabregas floated a ball over the top for Willian, who sprinted clear of Kimmich. Willian took a touch and tried to square it to Costa, but Kompany threw himself in the way with a thunderous block that brought a roar from the fans.
The pace of the match didn't drop. Fans stood with every forward surge, clapped with every switch, and held their breath with every through ball. The Etihad was buzzing with expectation.
Then, in the 34th minute, the breakthrough came.
It started with Fabregas losing the ball under pressure from De Bruyne just inside Chelsea's half. The Belgian barely looked before launching a long diagonal ball over the top. Aguero timed his run to perfection, darting in behind Cahill and Terry, beating the offside trap by inches. The ball bounced once, and Aguero calmly poked it low and early past Courtois before the keeper could set himself.
Announcer: "Gooooaaallllll! Sergio Aguero puts Manchester City ahead! 1–0!"
The Etihad exploded.
Martin Tyler's voice echoed over the cheers, "They've been threatening all half, and finally the door opens! De Bruyne with the assist, Aguero with the finish — pure Manchester City football."
Alan Smith: "Chelsea were warned. It's that directness, that ruthlessness from City. Aguero doesn't miss from there."
Aguero sprinted towards the corner flag, arms wide, beaming with pride as the crowd bounced. He slid to his knees, pumping both fists in the air. Kimmich was the first to reach him, ruffling his hair. Silva and Adriano followed quickly, with Adriano wrapping an arm around his shoulder, shouting something in Spanish that drew a smirk from Aguero.
On the touchline, Pellegrini offered a calm nod, but his clenched fists gave away his satisfaction. Behind him, the bench clapped — even Mbappé and Rashford stood up.
Chelsea tried to respond after the restart, but City smelled blood.
In the 42nd minute, a City corner was cleared weakly by Terry, and the ball rolled awkwardly to the edge of the final third. Adriano was there. He didn't hesitate.
One touch out of his feet, and then — boom.
From 36 yards out, the Portuguese wonderkid unleashed a thunderous strike. The ball rose sharply, dipping viciously as it screamed toward goal. Courtois stood frozen. He didn't even dive. The ball smashed into the top corner like a missile.
Announcer: "GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!! What a blistering strike! ADRIANO 'THE KING' RIVEIRO with an absolute screamer! 2–0 Manchester City!"
The stadium shook. Fans leapt from their seats, some grabbing their heads in disbelief, others simply roaring in joy. The chants erupted instantly: "OHHHHHH ADRIANO! ADRIANO!"
Martin Tyler was nearly breathless. "You don't see many better than that. Thirty-six yards out, and he makes it look like a tap-in. Courtois didn't even move!"
Alan Smith: "That's world class. That's why they call him The King. Just incredible power, precision — and confidence."
Adriano raced to the sideline, turned to the stands, and gave a shrug — arms wide open. It was the same celebration he used so often last season, and the fans adored it. "The King is here!" they screamed.
His teammates swarmed him — De Bruyne grabbed his face in disbelief, Aguero patted his chest and shook his head, Silva clapped with admiration. Even Van Dijk jogged up from defense to join the celebration.
Back in the stands, cameras caught one young fan near tears, mouth open in awe, clutching an Adriano #10 shirt. His dad had lifted him up during the goal, and now they were both laughing, shouting, "What a goal! WHAT A GOAL!"
The final minutes of the half passed with City in full control. Chelsea looked stunned. Matic tried to slow things down, and Costa barked at the midfield for better service, but they couldn't mount anything meaningful.
The referee glanced at his watch and blew the whistle to end the half.
City 2. Chelsea 0.
As players walked off the pitch, their moods couldn't be more different. City's bench clapped the starters as they walked back in — Pellegrini offered handshakes and quick words. Adriano smiled, calm, but his eyes stayed focused. Aguero and Silva laughed about something as they headed into the tunnel.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's players trudged behind. Courtois muttered to himself. Mourinho walked off without looking at anyone.
The Etihad was still echoing with chants.
And above it all, one name rang the loudest.
"Adriano! Adriano!"
****
Sky Sports Studio – Jamie Carragher & Micah Richards
Carragher:
"Look, Chelsea came into this match with a chip on their shoulder after what happened in the Community Shield. But right now? It's men against boys. That midfield battle? It's over. Adriano is dictating the rhythm. He's everywhere."
Richards (laughing):
"I mean, that goal — come on! Thirty-six yards out, Courtois is a top keeper and he didn't even move! That's different gravy, Jamie."
Carragher:
"And let's not forget how important that De Bruyne pass was for the first goal too. But Adriano's strike... we're talking goal of the month stuff. City have one hand on this game already."
Match of the Day – Gary Lineker:
"It's almost as if City are starting this season with something to prove. And if you're a fan, you have to be thrilled by the way Adriano is pulling strings. His confidence on the ball, his leadership... you can tell he's the heartbeat of this team."
Even during halftime, the Etihad buzzed with noise. Fans stood in the aisles talking to one another, rewatching the goals on their phones, breaking down the strike with wild hand gestures. Young kids were mimicking Adriano's shrug celebration by the concession stands, while chants of "The King is here!" echoed even during the break.
A middle-aged man in a vintage City jersey turned to the guy next to him and said:
"I've watched this club my whole life. We've had heroes. But this kid... this kid's a legend already. He's 19!"
****
The second half began under the Etihad lights with an electricity in the air. Manchester City led 2–0, and the fans had barely settled back into their seats when the tension reignited on the pitch.
Chelsea, now trailing and visibly frustrated, came out pressing higher, trying to disrupt City's rhythm. Mourinho stood animated in his technical area, barking instructions, demanding intensity. But City weren't rattled.
Martin Tyler: "If anything, it's Chelsea now who are walking the tightrope. They have to push, but they're up against a midfield that doesn't let go easily."
In the 49th minute, a miscommunication between Cahill and Matic led to a turnover just outside the Chelsea box. Kevin De Bruyne pounced on the loose ball and slid a sharp pass into the channel for Salah. The Egyptian winger cut inside Azpilicueta and curled a low effort toward the near post—Courtois got a fingertip to it, deflecting it just wide.
Alan Smith: "City are playing with confidence—look at Salah, he's causing all sorts of trouble down that flank."
From the resulting corner, Silva's delivery was met by Kompany, whose header narrowly sailed over the bar. The crowd groaned in unison, but only for a moment—City's control was still intact, and Etihad Stadium remained lively, with chants of "Championes, Championes!" echoing around the stands.
Chelsea did try to respond. In the 54th minute, Willian played a clever one-two with Costa, darting down the right before floating in a cross. Pedro rose but couldn't get the header on target, sending it wide of Hart's post.
Then came the 58th minute. Silva won the ball deep and immediately turned to find Adriano, who had dropped deeper into midfield to collect. The stadium held its breath as the number 10 turned and surged forward, skipping past Fabregas and Oscar with trademark balance. As Cahill stepped up, Adriano didn't blink—he slid the ball to Aguero, then kept running. Aguero didn't hesitate, flicking a quick return pass into Adriano's path.
Now in the box, one-on-one with Courtois, Adriano gave the Belgian a feint—then calmly placed the ball with his left foot into the bottom corner.
Announcer: "GOOOOOAAALLLLLLL! ADRIANO AGAIN! Two in two for the King of Manchester!"
The stadium erupted. Adriano turned and pointed to the sky before dropping to one knee with a fist to the chest, as if declaring his intent to reign over the season.
Martin Tyler: "That's what he does! Ice cold in front of goal. His second tonight, and he made it look effortless."
Alan Smith: "And don't forget the build-up—Silva, Aguero, and then Adriano with that signature finish. City are putting on a clinic."
City led 3–0 now, and Chelsea were unraveling. Mourinho looked on grim-faced, adjusting his sleeves, while John Terry barked orders to try and hold things together at the back.
In the 64th minute, frustration boiled over. Fabregas slid in late on De Bruyne, drawing a chorus of boos from the crowd and a stern yellow card from the referee. De Bruyne got up shaking his head, and Adriano walked over with a calming hand on his shoulder, telling him to stay composed.
Adriano: "Let the scoreboard do the talking."
Etihad roared their approval.
City, still hungry, made a substitution in the 67th minute—Hazard came off to standing applause, replaced by Son Heung-Min. Chelsea tried to press high again, but left gaps behind.
In the 72nd minute, another moment of brilliance followed.
Robertson sent a lofted pass down the left to Son, who brought it down superbly and squared it low into the box. Cahill tried to clear but only managed a weak touch—and the ball fell straight to Adriano.
He didn't need a second invitation.
He shifted his weight, cut inside, and curled an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner. Courtois stood frozen.
Announcer: "GOOOOOAAAALLLLL! HAT TRICK HERO! ADRIANO RIVEIRO!"
The crowd went absolutely ballistic. Scarves waved in the air, flares lit behind the goal, and the entire stadium chanted: "AR10! AR10! AR10!"
Adriano ran to the corner flag, slid on his knees, and kissed the badge on his chest. Kimmich, Silva, and Van Dijk mobbed him, Kompany arriving moments later with a huge embrace.
Martin Tyler: "What more can you say? This lad… he's something else. A second straight hat trick in two league games. That's just absurd."
Alan Smith: "We knew he was good. But this… this is a man on a mission. He's hunting history."
The stadium announcer blared his name again as fans bounced in unison, singing his chant. On the touchline, Pellegrini offered a rare smile, turning to his bench and saying something to Casemiro with a quiet nod.
With the scoreline now 4–0, Pellegrini made changes—Adriano, now with his job done, received another ovation as he came off in the 75th minute, giving the armband to Kompany. Mbappe came on in his place, the French teenager applauding the King before stepping onto the pitch.
Adriano jogged off with a wide smile, clapping the fans. They responded with love, chanting his name louder than ever.
In the final minutes, Chelsea had a small flurry of half-chances—Diego Costa saw a header saved by Hart in the 81st minute, and Pedro fired just over in the 85th—but City were in full control.
The last major action came in stoppage time when Son burst down the left, played a clever backheel to Silva, who laid it off for De Bruyne. His shot was blocked by Terry, but it summed up City's unselfish, flowing football.
The final whistle blew moments later.
Martin Tyler: "And that's full time at the Etihad! 4–0 to Manchester City. Two wins from two. Ten goals scored. None conceded. And Adriano Riveiro? Back-to-back hat tricks. What a start to the season."
Alan Smith: "They've not just beaten Chelsea. They've dismantled them. And Adriano has elevated this team to another level. The league is officially on notice."
The Etihad stood tall, buzzing, bouncing, united.
As players shook hands and embraced, the home crowd remained, soaking it in. A statement had been made.
City weren't just defending champions.
They were roaring forward, led by their king—Adriano Riveiro.
****
The final whistle at the Etihad blew like a trumpet of dominance. Manchester City 4. Chelsea 0.
The cameras zoomed in on Adriano as he walked off the pitch, match ball under his arm, surrounded by teammates grinning from ear to ear. Aguero clapped him on the back. De Bruyne raised three fingers and gave him a mock bow. Pellegrini stood near the touchline with a satisfied smile, arms folded—his side had just sent a message to the rest of the Premier League.
They were fully prepared to defend their crown.
MEDIA REACTIONS:
BBC Sport – "City Humble Chelsea; Adriano Stuns League"
"At just 19, Adriano Riveiro put in yet another performance well beyond his years, scoring a sensational hat trick in Manchester City's 4–0 demolition of title rivals Chelsea. A thunderous long-range goal, a sharp finish from close range, and a composed finish sealed the Portuguese star's night. But it wasn't just the goals, his work rate, passing vision, and ability to control the tempo left fans and pundits in awe."
Sky Sports – Jamie Carragher post-match:
"That was the most complete performance I've seen from a young midfielder in years. He's not just a talent, he's already world-class. What impresses me is that he's leading a midfield with De Bruyne and Silva—two giants—and still standing out."
Micah Richards:
"This man is outrageous. He scored a hat trick against Chelsea and looked like he was playing five-a-side with his mates. City have a generational player on their hands, make no mistake."
Gary Neville on commentary:
"That midfield three just tore Chelsea apart. Adriano's third goal? Ice in his veins. The kid didn't flinch. Big game, big moment—and he just tucked it away like he's been doing it for years."
The Guardian – "The Rise of AR10"
"Forget the number—Adriano is not wearing the 10 shirt just for style. He owns it. The composure, the maturity, and the fearless creativity on display today confirmed what City fans suspected: they're witnessing the beginning of a new era."
Twitter and Instagram were in meltdown.
@MCFC_Forever:
ADRIANO RIVEIRO. A STAR IS BORN. Etihad was chanting his name like he's been here for a decade. 4-0 vs Chelsea??#AR10 #HattrickHero #MCFC
@FootyLadUK:
I still can't believe that second goal. What kind of 19-year-old turns John Terry inside out like that? Bro embarrassed Chelsea's backline for fun.#PremierLeagueWatchOut
@ChelseaMourning:
I love this club but we got battered. Adriano made our midfield look like training cones. Fabregas couldn't breathe.#ChelseaMeltdown
@GoalZone:
We've got Mbappe, Haaland, Bellingham… but there's a Portuguese prince in Manchester who just took the spotlight.ADRIANO. Remember the name.#GoldenBoy
@EtihadEuphoria:
4-0. Hat trick. Pure class.Adriano didn't just play well—he owned the stage.That shrug after the penalty?? STONE COLD. 🥶👑#AR10Season
@FootballIQ:
City didn't just beat Chelsea. They made a statement. Two games, ten goals scored, zero conceded.Adriano is the heart of this machine. At 19. Unreal.
@PortugalElite:
From Lisbon to Manchester to the world.ADRIANO is doing things we've never seen from a Portuguese midfielder at this age. This isn't hype. It's a takeover.#SelecaoPride #AR10
The post-match atmosphere at the Etihad was nothing short of euphoric. Fans stayed in their seats longer than usual, some chanting, others still rewatching the goals on their phones with gleeful disbelief. As Adriano walked toward the tunnel, he raised the match ball high and waved to all four corners of the stadium. A roar went up again.
Kids on shoulders yelled his name. Fans banged the advertising boards, chanting:
🎶 "He's magic, you know… Adriano Riveiro!" 🎶
At the gates, fans poured out into the Manchester evening like it was a title celebration. Supporters hugged, laughed, high-fived strangers. The consensus was clear: they were watching something truly special.
One fan, caught by a local reporter outside the stadium, grinned from ear to ear:
"I've followed this club through thick and thin, mate. This feels like when Aguero joined. It's that big. Adriano's gonna define this era."
Even Mourinho in the post match conference just shrugged helplessly, " It's not we played badly. When faced with someone like Adriano, it's hard to defend unless you foul him constantly. He can drop to the central midfield when attacking isn't possible. Rest of the Premier League better watch out."
Pellegrini also didn't hold back his praises for his favourite disciple, " That kid is pure magic and will. I won't be surprised if he breaks the record he set last season."
****
Adriano's Stats 2015-16 Season
Premier League
Match: 2
Goals: 6
Assists: 0
Community Shield
Match: 1
Goals : 2
Assists: 2
Euro Qualifiers
Match: 4
Goals: 6
Assist: 2