Manchester City secured a comeback victory against Bournemouth, winning 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. This match marked a strong start to the 2026-27 Premier League season for Enzo Maresca's team. Bournemouth initially took the lead with Marcus Tavernier scoring in the 26th minute. However, City turned the game around with late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol, who found the net in the 84th and 91st minutes, respectively.

Match Overview

City's comeback was sparked by Guehi's equalizer, which came from a corner delivered by Rayan Cherki. Just moments later, Cherki assisted Gvardiol for the winning goal, ensuring that City began their campaign positively. Maresca made notable changes to the lineup following their FA Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, opting for a formation that included Guehi in midfield, while Mateo Kovacic started on the bench. Phil Foden was positioned on the right wing, with Antoine Semenyo on the left and Erling Haaland leading the attack.

First Half Highlights

The match began with a heartfelt tribute to former City manager Kevin Keegan, setting an uplifting atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium. City started strong, with their first opportunity arising in the third minute. Josko Gvardiol initiated a counterattack, setting up Haaland, who then assisted Foden. However, Foden's shot from close range was blocked by Bournemouth's goalkeeper, Đorđe Petrovic. After a vigorous start, Bournemouth settled into the game, enjoying a period of possession but failing to create significant threats.

Ultimately, Manchester City's resilience paid off, allowing them to secure a vital three points as they look to build momentum in the new season.