--- title: "Maresca's Premier League Debut: Manchester City Complete Late Comeback to Beat Bournemouth" description: "Enzo Maresca's Manchester City started the new Premier League season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bournemouth. Trailing until the 84th minute, the \"Citizens\" snatched three points thanks to late goals from Guéhi and Gvardiol." date: 2026-08-23T15:34:02.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/maresca-premier-league-debut-manchester-city-comeback-against-bournemouth tags: [manchester-city, bournemouth, premier-league, enzo-maresca, ryan-cherki] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Maresca's Premier League Debut: Manchester City Complete Late Comeback to Beat Bournemouth ![Manchester City player in the light blue home kit celebrates a goal in the Premier League match against Bournemouth during Maresca's debut](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/23/debjut-mareski-v-apl-manchester-siti-kambek-nad-bornmutom/debjut-mareski-v-apl-manchester-siti-kambek-nad-bornmutom-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Manchester City, under new manager Enzo Maresca, opened the Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad. - The "Citizens" were trailing until the 84th minute after Tavernier's goal, but snatched three points thanks to goals from Guéhi (84') and Gvardiol (90+1'), both assisted by Cherki. Enzo Maresca's Manchester City opened the new Premier League season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth. The matchday one fixture at the Etihad was an Italian debut in the role of head coach of the "Citizens," and the team, despite being the reigning vice-champions, had some worrying moments. A detailed breakdown of the match has been published in a [Sport RBC.UA article](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/vazhkiy-start-novim-trenerom-manchester-siti-1787499168.html). ### A Tough Start Under the New Manager Although City began the campaign as the vice-champions, the first half was far from convincing. This was partly due to Maresca's experiments with the playing model: the "Citizens" had possession, but they struggled noticeably to create real danger in front of the opposition's goal. Erling Haaland was also out of form, with the game not really coming together for him. In contrast, Marco Rose's Bournemouth felt far more comfortable on the pitch and looked more dangerous in attack. ### Bournemouth Take the Lead The visitors could have opened the scoring as early as the 16th minute, but City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved his team. By the 26th minute, the Italian could no longer do anything: Marcus Tavernier finished a cross at the far post, and Bournemouth took the lead 0-1. The pattern of play barely changed in the second half: the home side retained possession, but they could not turn it into clear-cut chances. ### A Comeback in Stoppage Time The turning point came from a substitution: Ryan Cherki entered the pitch in the 63rd minute, and it was his actions in the closing stages that decided the match. In the 84th minute, Marc Guéhi levelled, finishing a Cherki corner kick 1-1. Then, in stoppage time, in the 91st minute, Cherki set up his second assist, and Josko Gvardiol put City ahead 2-1. Thus, the "Citizens" snatched three points thanks to two defenders in the final minutes of the game. ### Enzo Maresca's Reaction After the match, the new Manchester City boss called the win well deserved and highlighted the team's character, managing to turn the game around while trailing. According to Maresca, the ability to press the opponent in the closing stages was the key factor in the success of his debut matchday in charge. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [A Tough Start with the New Manager: Manchester City Beat Bournemouth in a Comeback Win](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/football/vazhkiy-start-novim-trenerom-manchester-siti-1787499168.html) - Основной источник по ходу матча, составу и волевой победе; в первичном тексте содержались ошибки транслитерации фамилий, исправленные по верифицированному протоколу. - [Manchester City vs Bournemouth. Watch the Premier League Match Live Online](https://www.ua-football.com/foreign/england/1787407895-manchester-siti-bornmut-smotret-onlayn-live-pryamuyu-videotranslyaciyu-matcha-apl.html) - Подтверждено по источнику ua-football.com - [Manchester City – Bournemouth. Premier League Match Preview and Prediction for 23.08.2026](https://www.ua-football.com/predictions/apl/1787462532-manchester-siti-bornmut-anons-i-prognoz-matcha-apl-na-23-08-2026.html) - Подтверждено по источнику ua-football.com - [Maresca: "The Win Over Bournemouth Was Well Deserved"](https://www.soccer.ru/news/1434666/mareska-enco) - Послематчевый комментарий Энцо Марески о заслуженной победе и характере команды. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What was the final score of the Manchester City vs Bournemouth match in matchday one of the Premier League? **A:** Manchester City won 2-1. The goals were scored by Marc Guéhi (84') and Josko Gvardiol (90+1'); for the visitors, Marcus Tavernier scored (26'). ### Q: Who was the key factor in City's late comeback? **A:** Ryan Cherki's introduction in the 63rd minute: he provided two assists in the closing stages, setting up the goals from defenders Guéhi and Gvardiol. ### Q: How did City's new manager Enzo Maresca comment on the match? **A:** Maresca called the win well deserved and highlighted the team's character, managing to turn the game around while trailing until the 84th minute.