Manchester City came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Etihad, with Josko Gvardiol scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner after Marc Guehi had cancelled out Marcus Tavernier’s opener.
Bournemouth had looked on course for a huge result after Tavernier put them ahead in the first half, with City struggling to create clear chances despite dominating possession.
Guehi then made amends for a glaring earlier miss by heading in Rayan Cherki’s 84th-minute corner.
City completed the turnaround in the 93rd minute when Cherki again provided the assist, delivering a superb cross for Gvardiol to finish from close range.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR overturned the decision to give Enzo Maresca victory in his first Premier League game in charge.
Bournemouth punish City’s defensive problems
City started quickly and had chances to take an early lead, with Lewis forcing a save from Djordje Petrovic in the fourth minute before Erling Haaland somehow failed to make proper contact with O’Reilly’s cross.
Bournemouth gradually settled and began exposing gaps in the City defence. Rayan forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a save before Marcus Tavernier opened the scoring in the 26th minute.
The move began with Adam Smith’s ball forward, which City’s defence failed to deal with. Rayan then found Evanilson, who produced an excellent cross for Tavernier to tap home at the back post.
Bournemouth continued to threaten on the counter, with Justin Kluivert wasting a good opportunity to double their advantage before half-time.
City had plenty of possession but struggled to turn it into chances. Haaland did force Petrovic into a save with a header shortly before the break, but Bournemouth went into half-time deservedly ahead.
Guehi makes amends
City continued to dominate possession after the interval but Bournemouth remained comfortable for long spells.
The hosts made changes in an attempt to change the game, with Matheus Nunes and Rayan Cherki introduced before the hour mark.
Cherki immediately gave City more attacking threat and Bournemouth were increasingly forced deeper.
Guehi had already missed a huge opportunity earlier in the second half when he headed wide from just a few yards out, but the defender eventually found the net.
Cherki delivered an excellent corner in the 84th minute and Guehi rose unmarked in the centre of the box to head beyond Petrovic and make it 1-1.
Gvardiol completes the comeback
City pushed for a winner and almost conceded a second when substitute Daniel Jebbison’s header was brilliantly saved by Donnarumma.
Jack Grealish was also introduced for Foden as City searched for a late breakthrough, but Bournemouth continued to frustrate them.
Then came the decisive moment in the 93rd minute.
Cherki found Gvardiol inside the box, with the defender taking a touch before firing past Petrovic. The assistant referee initially raised his flag for offside, but VAR reviewed the incident and determined that Gvardiol had been played onside by Hill.
The goal stood, sending the Etihad into celebration and completing an unlikely comeback.
