Manchester City produced a stirring late comeback to beat AFC Bournemouth 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium, with Josko Gvardiol striking in stoppage time after Marc Guéhi had hauled the home side level.
Bournemouth had looked set to leave Manchester with a statement result after Marcus Tavernier put the visitors ahead in the 26th minute. The Cherries were disciplined without the ball and dangerous when they found opportunities to break, taking their one-goal advantage into half-time.
City, however, controlled the territorial battle throughout the match. They finished with 66 per cent possession, 13 shots to Bournemouth’s five, and an 8-3 advantage in corners, but had to wait until the closing stages for their pressure to turn into goals.
The breakthrough arrived in the 84th minute when Marc Guéhi rose to head City level, finally rewarding the hosts’ sustained second-half push. Bournemouth’s resistance was then broken completely in the first minute of added time, as Gvardiol scored in the 90’+1′ minute to send the 60,605 inside the Etihad into celebration.
Phil Foden was booked for City in the 78th minute, while Bournemouth’s Evanilson and António Silva received yellow cards in a fiercely contested fixture. Yet the decisive story was City’s persistence: six shots on target and relentless late pressure eventually transformed a frustrating afternoon into three Premier League points.
Manchester City now turn their attention to Crystal Palace on Friday, August 28. Bournemouth will look to respond when they face Everton on Saturday, August 29.
Goals
- 26′ – Marcus Tavernier (AFC Bournemouth)
- 84′ – Marc Guéhi (Manchester City)
- 90’+1′ – Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
