Manchester City opened the new Premier League campaign with a 2-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, although Enzo Maresca could hardly have imagined his first league match in charge would require quite so much late drama.
Manchester City trailed AFC Bournemouth for most of the afternoon before goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol transformed the contest in the closing minutes. Marco Rose’s Bournemouth side had looked capable of extending their remarkable unbeaten sequence, only for City to find a route back into a game that had threatened to drift away from them.
Tavernier Punishes Man City Space
AFC Bournemouth took the lead after 26 minutes through Marcus Tavernier, and the goal captured many of City’s problems during the opening hour. Evanilson produced a sharp low delivery across the penalty area, with Tavernier afforded far too much space before finishing emphatically. It was an avoidable goal from City’s perspective, particularly given the amount of control they would have expected to establish at home. Bournemouth were organised, disciplined and willing to attack when opportunities appeared. Tavernier was especially influential, finding pockets of space and carrying genuine threat whenever Bournemouth moved forward.
City had possession and opportunities of their own, yet their performance lacked the precision usually associated with them around the opposition penalty area. Abdukodir Khusanov missed a challenge on Rayan in the lead-up to Bournemouth’s first goal and could not recover to stop the effort. New captain Ruben Dias was culpable when conceding the opener too, failing to get his head on a long ball over the top. Gianluigi Donnarumma could do nothing about Bournemouth’s opener but made superb saves to deny Justin Kluivert’s low effort and Daniel Jebbison’s flicked header.
Haaland Endures Frustrating Afternoon
Erling Haaland had chances to change the direction of the match much earlier. August has traditionally been a productive month for City’s centre forward, although this was one of those afternoons when the chances arrived without the finish. Sporting a fresh new trim, the Norway striker somehow missed a sitter from a couple of yards out in the first half, while blazing over and scuffing another wide in the second. Bournemouth goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic made important interventions, while Haaland also failed to make the most of several promising situations.
Rico Lewis, inverting into midfield from right-back, got forward and had an early effort saved but lacked quality overall before being taken off in the 56th minute for Matheus Nunes. Phil Foden was bright in the early stages, seeing plenty of the ball and playing a delightful flick for Lewis’ chance, but faded away alongside Antoine Semenyo, leaving City short of attacking inspiration for long periods. Nico O’Reilly, deployed in the number 10 role, created few opportunities of note and was taken off on the hour mark. Maresca’s side increasingly pushed players forward as the second half progressed, although Bournemouth continued to defend their penalty area with impressive resilience.
Guehi Sparks Dramatic Comeback
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 84th minute. Rayan Cherki, who came on in the 62nd minute for O’Reilly, changed the game for City by delivering a corner into the Bournemouth penalty area. Marc Guehi, operating in defensive midfield for only the third time in his career, rose to head City level. With Ayyoub Bouaddi incoming, this experiment might only last one game. Mateo Kovacic came on at the same time as Cherki, replacing Elliot Anderson, while Jack Grealish replaced Phil Foden in the 82nd minute.
That changed the atmosphere immediately. City suddenly played with greater urgency and Bournemouth were forced deeper, with the pressure eventually producing another decisive moment during stoppage time. Cherki was again involved, providing the assist as Gvardiol guided his effort into the bottom corner. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR review overturned the decision, giving Man City a 2-1 advantage and completing a remarkable late turnaround.
Bournemouth Run Ends at Etihad
For AFC Bournemouth, the defeat will be particularly difficult to accept. Rose’s team were six minutes away from beginning his Premier League reign with an impressive victory at the Etihad, yet they leave Manchester without a point. It also brings an end to Bournemouth’s club record 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions, stretching back to January.
There were positives. Tavernier was excellent, Antonio Silva and Adrien Truffert defended well, while Petrovic produced a composed performance in goal alongside Adam Smith, James Hill, Lewis Cook, Alex Scott, Justin Kluivert, and Rayan. For City, the three points matter more than the manner in which they arrived at this stage of the season. Guehi and Gvardiol ultimately rescued Maresca from a frustrating opening afternoon, and Cherki will now be hoping to start on Friday at Crystal Palace, offering plenty for the new manager to analyse.
