Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in their opening Premier League match of the 2026/27 season, coming from behind to clinch the win.

Match Overview

Enzo Maresca's selection for the match raised some eyebrows, particularly with the inclusion of Marc Guehi in a defensive midfield role alongside Elliot Anderson, who unfortunately left the pitch due to injury just after the hour mark. The first half saw Erling Haaland miss a clear opportunity to score, failing to convert after a brilliant run from Nico O’Reilly down the left flank.

Bournemouth took the lead in the 26th minute when Marcus Tavernier finished off a well-executed team move, exposing Manchester City's defensive frailties. The Cherries nearly extended their advantage multiple times before half-time, with Guehi notably missing a header from a corner with an open goal in front of him.

Turning Point and Late Drama

Manchester City faced further challenges when Anderson was forced to exit the game, having recently joined from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. However, Guehi redeemed himself by scoring a powerful, albeit deflected, header to level the match. In a dramatic finish, Josko Gvardiol netted the winner in injury time, which was initially ruled offside but later overturned.

Player Ratings

Here’s how the Manchester City players performed in their first Premier League match under Maresca:

• Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6/10: Had a solid performance without major errors, though he couldn’t prevent the goal.
• Rico Lewis - 5.5/10: Struggled with positioning but contributed to the build-up play.
• Abdukodir Khusanov - 6/10: An average display, with the defensive line appearing disconnected from the midfield.
• Ruben Dias - 6/10: Similar to Khusanov, Dias had a lackluster performance.
• Josko Gvardiol - 7/10: Despite some sloppy moments, he scored the crucial winner.
• Nico O’Reilly - 7.5/10 (POTM): The standout player for City, causing problems for Bournemouth and contributing defensively.
• Elliot Anderson - 6/10: Showed promise before his injury.

Overall, Manchester City’s resilience shone through as they overcame early setbacks to secure their first win of the season.