Late goals from Marc Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol salvaged a 2-1 victory for Manchester City against Bournemouth in their Premier League season opener.
Enzo Maresca, just minutes away from suffering his first league loss as manager, was on the brink of disappointment after Marcus Tavernier put Bournemouth ahead in the 26th minute. However, Guéhi brought City level with a header from a corner in the 84th minute.
A dramatic finish followed when Rayan Cherki set up Gvardiol, who scored in the second minute of stoppage time. After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was confirmed, leading to jubilant celebrations from Maresca’s squad.
After inheriting the managerial role from Pep Guardiola, Maresca faced an uphill battle following a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield but managed to avoid back-to-back losses.
City’s midfield troubles were evident, with the team missing key players like Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Tijjani Reijnders this summer. Despite the challenges, Guéhi’s positioning further up the pitch provided a spark.
Erling Haaland struggled to convert an opportunity when he misjudged a volley from close range. The star striker, known for his distinctive long hair, debuted a new buzz cut that took social media by storm.
Although he failed to capitalize on a few golden chances, Haaland received support from Guéhi and Gvardiol’s late goals, ensuring City avoided an unexpected defeat while their rivals, Manchester United, faltered against Hull City.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.