Man City 2-1 Bournemouth: Late comeback earns Maresca winning Premier League start

Manchester City scored two late goals to earn Enzo Maresca a winning start to his Premier League tenure and deny Marco Rose a dream beginning as Bournemouth manager.

The Cherries looked on course for a famous victory after Marcus Tavernier gave them a first-half lead, but Marc Guéhi equalised with six minutes remaining before Josko Gvardiol completed City’s comeback in stoppage time.

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The result ended Bournemouth’s club-record 18-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which had stretched back to January.

Tavernier puts Bournemouth ahead

Bournemouth made the brighter start and took the lead through Tavernier.

The midfielder was left with plenty of space inside the area and made no mistake, firing home after Evanilson produced an incisive low delivery across the box.

City struggled to find their rhythm and could have gone further behind as Bournemouth looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

Erling Haaland, meanwhile, endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal. The Norwegian, who has scored 22 Premier League goals in just 14 August appearances, failed to convert any of his five chances.

Guéhi rescues City

City gradually increased the pressure after the interval and finally found an equaliser in the 84th minute.

Rayan Cherki delivered a dangerous corner into the area and Marc Guéhi rose highest to head the ball beyond Bournemouth goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović.

Guéhi was playing in defensive midfield for only the third time in his career, but his late intervention appeared to have rescued a point for the hosts.

However, City were not finished.

Gvardiol completes comeback

In injury time, Josko Gvardiol fired City ahead after guiding a shot into the bottom corner following another dangerous delivery from Cherki.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision and awarded City the winner.

The late turnaround gave Maresca three points in his first Premier League match in charge and provided huge relief after City’s 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in last Sunday’s Community Shield.

Analysis: Huge relief for Maresca

City showed improvement from their disappointing Community Shield performance, but for much of the match it appeared Maresca would begin his reign with consecutive defeats.

The Italian faces the difficult task of succeeding Pep Guardiola, who left after a decade in charge. Maresca had previously worked as a City assistant during the 2022-23 season and was viewed as a coach who could provide some continuity.

His team selection initially raised eyebrows, with six players who have spent most of their City careers in defensive positions starting the match, including Guéhi in midfield.

City also fell 1-0 behind at home on the opening day of a Premier League season for the first time since 1995-96.

But the late comeback changed the mood completely.

Cherki was particularly influential, earning the highest average player rating of 6.92, while Guéhi and Gvardiol were also key to the comeback.

Haaland, however, will know he should have done better after failing to convert five opportunities.

Analysis: Plenty of positives for Rose’s Bournemouth

Bournemouth fans had reason to be optimistic despite the defeat.

The club enjoyed the best season in their history last campaign, finishing sixth and qualifying for Europe for the first time.

Andoni Iraola left at the end of last season to take charge of Liverpool, with former Salzburg and RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose appointed as his replacement.

Rose had plenty of time to assess his new squad, and his side showed many of the aggressive and positive qualities associated with Iraola’s team.

Only one new signing started against City, with Portuguese defender António Silva coming into the side following Marcos Senesi’s move to Tottenham.

Bournemouth were particularly dangerous on the counter, with Rayan, Evanilson and Tavernier combining effectively for the opening goal.

Although surrendering the lead late on will be disappointing, there were plenty of encouraging signs for Rose and his players.

Player ratings

Manchester City

Bournemouth

Match highlights

Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City

⚽ Marcus Tavernier — Bournemouth

⚽ Marc Guéhi — Manchester City

⚽ Josko Gvardiol — Manchester City

Player of the match: Rayan Cherki — 6.92

The victory gives Maresca three important points in his first Premier League match as City manager, while Bournemouth will have to regroup after seeing their long unbeaten run finally come to an end.