Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol struck deep into stoppage time as the Cityzens produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium and end the Cherries’ remarkable 18-game unbeaten Premier League run.
The victory also gave Enzo Maresca a winning start to his reign as Manchester City manager, although his side were made to work desperately hard for all three points after struggling to break down a disciplined Bournemouth defence for much of the afternoon.
Bournemouth took a shock lead in the 26th minute through Marcus Tavernier, who calmly tapped home from Evanilson’s low cross across the face of goal to put the visitors ahead.
The goal was historic, giving Bournemouth their first-ever Premier League lead against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Cherries protected their advantage impressively and came within minutes of securing a landmark first Premier League victory away to Manchester City.
Bournemouth had never won at the Etihad in the competition, but their impressive defensive display suggested that unwanted record was finally about to disappear.
Manchester City, however, refused to accept defeat and gradually increased the pressure as the match entered its closing stages. Erling Haaland had earlier gone close, while Marc Guehi also missed a good opportunity before eventually becoming the unlikely hero of City’s comeback.
The turning point arrived when Maresca introduced Rayan Cherki from the bench in the second half. The French midfielder immediately added creativity to City’s attack, and his influence became decisive as the hosts finally found a way through the Cherries’ defence.
With six minutes remaining, Cherki delivered an inviting corner into the Bournemouth penalty area and Guehi rose highest to head Manchester City level in the 84th minute.
The equaliser transformed the momentum of the contest and gave the home side renewed belief that a winner was still possible.
That winner arrived in the first minute of added time. Cherki again played a crucial role, supplying Gvardiol, who kept his composure before firing into the bottom corner.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside but was subsequently awarded following a VAR review, sparking wild celebrations inside the Etihad.
Cherki Changes the Game as City Complete Comeback
Cherki’s introduction proved to be the defining tactical decision of the match. The 63rd-minute substitute provided both assists, first for Guehi’s equaliser and then for Gvardiol’s dramatic winner.
His performance underlined the importance of attacking depth for Maresca as he begins the difficult task of succeeding Pep Guardiola. Maresca was appointed on June 29 after Guardiola stepped down following a decade in charge of the club.
Despite the victory, City were far from convincing for long periods. Bournemouth created several opportunities of their own and could have extended their advantage before the hosts eventually found their late response.
City finished with the stronger attacking numbers, recording 2.36 expected goals compared with Bournemouth’s 0.63, but their inability to convert chances earlier in the match nearly proved costly.
For Bournemouth, the defeat brought an extraordinary unbeaten sequence to an end. The Cherries had gone 18 Premier League matches without defeat at the end of the 2025/26 campaign under Andoni Iraola, recording eight victories and 10 draws.
That run was the longest unbeaten spell in Bournemouth’s Premier League history and helped the club secure European football for the first time. Their previous league defeat had come against Arsenal in their opening match of 2026, before they embarked on their remarkable run.
Marco Rose, beginning his competitive tenure as Bournemouth manager, will be particularly frustrated by the manner of the defeat. His side had held City at bay for almost the entire match before conceding twice in the final seven minutes.
For Maresca, meanwhile, the result provides an important early boost. Manchester City may have produced an unconvincing performance, but the character shown to overturn a deficit in the closing stages gives the new manager three valuable points and a winning beginning to life after Guardiola.
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