Man City edge Bournemouth in Maresca’s first league game in charge
Manchester City fought back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Italian manager, who replaced Pep Guardiola at the end of last season, lost his first match in charge of the club, 3-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield.
He fielded a strong side against Bournemouth in a bid to bounce back from the defeat to Arsenal, Erling Haaland led the line, ably supported by Antoine Semenyo and Phil Foden.
Marcus Tavernier finished off a free-flowing move in the 26th minute to give Bournemouth the lead against the run of play.
Man City dominated possession but they failed to find their attacking rhythm as the first half ended in favour of Bournemouth.
The hosts burst into life in the last 10 minutes of the game with two late goals from defenders Marc Guehi and Joskol Gvardiol.
Read Also: Hamburg boss talks up Moffi’s qualities ahead imminent transfer from Nice
Guehi produced a powerful header to draw Man City level in the 84th minute before Gvardiol scored with a close range finish in the 91st minute following a sublime assist from substitute Rayan Cherki.
It was a deserved victory for Maresca’s side as they started the post Guardiola era.
Up next for Man City is a Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Friday while Bournemouth face Everton on Saturday.
In the other Premier League game on Sunday, Brighton thumped Aston Villa 4-0.
Top Stats From Man City vs Bournemouth Clash
Manchester City have won on MD1 in 15 of the last 16 Premier League seasons, failing only in 2021-22 (0-1 defeat v Tottenham Hotspur).
Manchester City won this game despite trailing in the 84th minute – the latest they have trailed a Premier League home game that they went on to win since the final day of their title-winning 2011-12 campaign against QPR (trailing in 92nd min).
Manchester City won a Premier League game despite trailing at half-time for the first time since March 2024 against Manchester United (3-1), ending a 10-game winless run (D2 L8).
Bournemouth lost a Premier League game in which they led at half-time for only the second time in the last 36 instances (W25 D9), after November 2025 v Sunderland (2-3).
