Premier League 2026-27, Manchester City stun Bournemouth 2-1: Key stats
What's the story
Manchester City staged a remarkable comeback to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in their opening match of the Premier League 2026-27 season. The victory was especially significant for City's new manager Enzo Maresca, who was taking charge of his first Premier League game in charge. The defeat marked Bournemouth's first loss in any competition since January, ending their club-record 18-game unbeaten streak.
Match dynamics
City score 2 late goals to seal the comeback win
The match took place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Marcus Tavernier giving Bournemouth the first-half lead.
Despite their dominance, City struggled to find the back of the net in the first half, with Erling Haaland missing a golorious chance.
The game looked like it would end in disappointment for Maresca until Marc Guehi, playing as a defensive midfielder for just the third time in his career, headed home Rayan Cherki's corner six minutes from time.
Josko Gvardiol then sealed City's victory with a shot that was initially ruled offside but later awarded after VAR review.
Highlights
Key highlights from the match
Maresca's team selection for this game raised eyebrows as he started six players who have primarily played in defense, including Guehi in midfield.
However, City saw both Haaland and Guehi miss sitters as Bournemouth held on.
Ryan Cherki's introduction changed the contest.
His precise corner in the 84th minute saw Guehi score and then the Frenchman showed his magic in a tight space, laying the ball for Gvardiol, who put the ball into the net.
Records
City earn these massive feats
As per Opta, City have won on MD1 in 15 of the last 16 Premier League seasons, failing only in 2021-22 (0-1 defeat vs Tottenham Hotspur).
City won this game despite trailing in the 84th minute. It's the latest they have trailed a Premier League home game that they went on to win since the final day of their title-winning 2011-12 campaign against QPR (trailing in 92nd minute).
Do you know?
An unwanted record for Bournemouth in successive PL seasons
For the second consecutive Premier League season, Bournemouth have lost on MD1 via a winner in the final two minutes or later (Liverpool 88th minute in 2025-26, Manchester City 90th minute today).
Records
Contrasting records for the two sides
City won a Premier League game despite trailing at half-time for the first time since March 2024 against Manchester United (3-1), ending a 10-game winless run (D2 L8).
Meanwhile, Bournemouth lost a Premier League game in which they led at half-time for only the second time in the last 36 instances (W25 D9), after November 2025 vs Sunderland (2-3).
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Cherki weaves his magic
As per Opta, Cherki now has more open play assists (12) than any other player in the Premier League since the start of last season. On Sunday, he was the first Manchester City sub with two assists in a Premier League game since Ilkay Gundogan in December 2021 (vs Leeds).
Information
Key Premier League numbers for Cherki and Tavernier
From 34 Premier League games, Cherki has raced to 12 assists. He also has 4 goals. Meanwhile, Tavernier has scored 19 Premier League goals (A17) from 117 appearances.
Numbers
City 2-1 Bournemouth: Here are the match stats
City dominated possession, clocking 66%.
Maresca's side had an xG of 2.36 compared to Bournemouth's 0.63.
City managed 13 attempts with six shots on target. Bournemouth had four shots on target from five attempts.
City created five big chances compared to Bournemouth's one.
In terms of touches in the opposition box, City had 37 compared to their opponent's four.