Enzo Maresca’s First Game

Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League match as Manchester City manager ended in a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth. The hosts, who were also making the debut of new manager Marco Rose, fell behind early but fought back to win the game.

Key Moments

The Cherries took the lead when Marcus Tavernier curled a back-post shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 12th minute. City’s response came in the 63rd minute when Marc Guehi, playing in an unfamiliar holding midfield role, netted a late equaliser to level the score.

In injury time, Josko Gvardiol - who had been largely silent during Bournemouth’s opening goal - produced a “cool” finish to secure the win for City. The Croatian’s goal came in the 90+2 minute, giving City a 2-1 advantage.

Other notable actions included a diving save by Djordje Petrovic that denied Haaland and a strong performance by Adam Smith, who kept Haaland under lock and key for most of the match.

Player Ratings

Manchester City

  • Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6 (made superb saves but could do nothing about the opener).
  • Rico Lewis - 5 (early effort saved, lacked quality).
  • Abdukodir Khusanov - 5 (missed a challenge on Rayan).
  • Ruben Dias - 5 (conceded opener).
  • Josko Gvardiol - 7 (scored the winner).
  • Marc Guehi - 6 (scored equaliser).
  • Elliot Anderson - 6 (covered ground, snuffed danger).
  • Antoine Semenyo - 5 (looked bright in pre-season).
  • Nico O’Reilly - 5 (few opportunities).
  • Phil Foden - 5 (bright early, faded).
  • Erling Haaland - 5 (missed chances).

Subs: Rayan Cherki (8) and Jack Grealish (5).

Bournemouth

  • Djordje Petrovic - 6 (diving save).
  • Adam Smith - 6 (kept Haaland under lock).
  • Antonio Silva - 7 (comfortable centre-half, yellow card).
  • James Hill - 6 (solid performance).
  • Adrien Truffert - 6 (covered centre-backs).
  • Alex Scott - 8 (sublime composure).
  • Lewis Cook - 7 (work-rate).
  • Marcus Tavernier - 8 (opened the game).
  • Justin Kluivert - 6 (pacy threat).
  • Rayan - 7 (key in the goal).
  • Evanilson - 6 (booked).

Subs: Tyler Adams (5) and Daniel Jebbison (6).

Final Thoughts

The match was a showcase of Maresca’s tactical flexibility and Gvardiol’s composure under pressure. City’s 2-1 win gives the new manager a positive start, while Bournemouth’s debut for Rose ends in a narrow defeat. The game will be remembered for Tavernier’s opener, Guehi’s equaliser and Gvardiol’s decisive injury-time goal.