Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth: Guehi 84, Gvardiol 90; Tavernier 26
Josko Gvardiol scored in stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback for Manchester City and save Enzo Maresca’s blushes in his first match in charge at the Etihad.
Marc Guehi had equalised with six minutes of normal time remaining after Marcus Tavernier’s first-half goal had put Bournemouth in control. Gvardiol then struck in added time. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR review confirmed the defender had stayed onside.
Maresca’s most notable tactical decision on his first day out was to use Guehi alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield rather than at centre-back. Nico O’Reilly was also moved into the No 10 position, with Phil Foden starting on the right. The City initially appeared confused on the pitch by the changes.
They should nevertheless have taken the lead early. O’Reilly surged forward and delivered a precise cross for the newly shorn Erling Haaland, but the striker failed to make proper contact from close range.
Bournemouth then responded with greater conviction. Rayan caused problems whenever he found space and forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a save after capitalising on the hesitance of the home defence.
City failed to heed the warning and were soon punished. A loose ball exposed Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov, allowing Rayan to find Evanilson. The forward delivered from the right and Tavernier arrived at the far post to finish.
Picking up where he left off last season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LmESU67aD5
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 23, 2026
The goal continued a difficult opening period for Maresca, whose side also lost 3-0 in their Community Shield against Arsenal. Bournemouth could have strengthened their advantage before half-time, but Tavernier in particular was wasteful.
Maresca made no changes at the interval and on their return Guehi almost immediately missed an opportunity to make his midfield experiment pay off. He was left unmarked from a corner but could only head wide.
City continued to apply pressure and Antoine Semenyo forced Petrovic into a save before Cherki created another opening for Haaland. The striker’s effort was gathered by the Bournemouth goalkeeper.
City’s pressure eventually told in the 84th minute when Cherki delivered a corner from the right and Guehi rose to meet it, the ball taking a deflection off Adrien Truffert before finding the net. Gvardiol’s winner followed soon after.
