Late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol handed Enzo Maresca a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in his first Premier League match as Manchester City head coach.
Enzo Maresca kicked off his Premier League tenure as Manchester City head coach with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Succeeding Pep Guardiola, who won 20 trophies including six Premier League titles during a decade at the club, Maresca endured a difficult opening spell. Bournemouth took the lead in the 26th minute when Evanilson's cross found Marcus Tavernier, who scored past Gianluigi Donnarumma as City defenders Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov stood still.
Maresca rolled out a curious starting lineup containing six defenders, with Marc Guehi fielded in midfield and Nico O'Reilly playing closer to Erling Haaland in attack. Haaland, debuting a close-cropped haircut, missed a close-range chance from O'Reilly's cross, while Guehi missed a header from virtually on the line early in the second half.
City, who suffered a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Community Shield the previous week, struggled to create opportunities until Maresca brought on French playmaker Rayan Cherki. Cherki delivered an 84th-minute corner that Guehi headed past Djordje Petrovic to equalize.
In stoppage time, Cherki threaded a pass through the heart of the Bournemouth defense for Josko Gvardiol to slot home the winner, securing three points for Maresca in his debut match.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.