Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season is officially over after Pep Guardiola’s side went down to the south coast and were largely dominated in a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.
WATCH BOURNEMOUTH vs MANCHESTER CITY FULL MATCH REPLAY
The Cherries were raring and ready to race out of the starting blocks, as the first three shots of the game were all theirs and they scored from the second one after just 9 minutes. Antoine Semenyo finished a wonderfully worked chance with a fine finish from the top of the six to put Bournemouth ahead and whip Vitality Stadium into a frenzied atmosphere. Antoine Semenyo added goal no. 2 midway through the second half, but in truth it might have been no. 3 or 4 in a just world. Josko Gvardiol headed home a lifeline in the 82nd, but that’s as close as Manchester City would get, but not for a lack of trying as they had the final 7 shots of the game after scoring.
Rodri’s absence continues to hinder City’s attack…
One of the things that Guardiola’s teams do better than anyone else is creating numerical advantages in small spaces, and trusting that their technical and tactical execution is good enough to play through any opponent. At their very best, City are virtually unplayable for all but a handful of teams in the world. But right now, they don’t resemble anything close to their best with a Rodri-sized hole in the middle of the field. For example, City’s first shot on target didn’t come until Erling Haaland sent a weak shot right at Mark Travers in the 80th minute on Saturday.
… which leaves their defense far too exposed
Rodri is the one that makes all of the overloads possible, because the rest of the midfield and the outside backs can all get forward to join the attack without fear of what might happen if/when City lose the ball. Nothing to worry about, Rodri’s got it. He snuffs out fires before the starting spark is even struck. That’s not what Mateo Kovacic does, it’s not what Ilkay Gundogan does, it’s not what any other player in the team (or the world) does — 1 of 1 for a reason.
So, City have to compensate, which means Kovacic and Gundogan tag-team the work of one man, which means the attack is too light in numbers and the same central overloads aren’t possible, which means the full backs get pushed even higher, which means the remaining two defenders are on an island when the ball is lost. Andoni Iraola drew up the perfect game plan and his side executed it perfectly. Antoine Semenyo is in brilliant form at the moment, Evanilson is already settling in and Milos Kerkez, who had both assists for Bournemouth, is a constant threat from left back. It was a bit of a perfect storm to achieve Saturday’s result, but thoroughly deserved, if not short-changed by the scoreline.
Pep Guardiola: “We knew we couldn’t match the intensity” of Bournemouth
from the BBCWe knew we couldn’t match the intensity. We have talked about it. It was an open game. We had chances at the end but I congratulate Bournemouth for the victory.
The 50-50 balls in the middle, the duels, they play this type of game. They are so aggressive. They had six-seven days to prepare. They have physicality and speed, but you have to win these types of situations. And they had chances. Ederson made a good save. We had really good moments at the start of the second half and after that it was difficult to swallow as we were good. After we scored we had momentum and chances but couldn’t score [again].Pep Guardiola, on Manchester City’s injury crisis
Player ratings - Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Bournemouth vs Manchester City updates - by Andy Edwards
Bournemouth vs Man City final score: 2-1
Goalscorers: Antoine Semenyo (9'), Evanilson (64'), Josko Gvardiol (82')
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-1 Man City: Josko Gvardiol heads home a late lifeline (82')
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-0 Man City: Evanilson slides to touch home another Milos Kerkez assist (64')
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-0 Man City: Antoine Semenyo finishes brilliantly after Milos Kerkez finds him in the 6 (9')
Man City starting lineup
Ederson - Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol - Kovacic, Gondogan, Silva - Foden, Nunes, Haaland
Bournemouth starting lineup
Travers - Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez - Christie, Cook, Kluivert - Semenyo, Tavernier, Evanilson
How to watch Bournemouth vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Saturday (November 2)
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Bournemouth team news, focus
OUT: Alex Scott (knee), Luis Sinisterra (other)
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Rodri (knee - out for season), Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Jack Grealish (undisclosed), Oscar Bobb (lower leg)
Bournemouth vs Manchester City prediction
As the injuries (and fixtures) pile up for City, each game grows tougher and a bigger ask. Few teams in the PL make you work and scrap like Bournemouth do, and they’ll push the champs to the edge… but not quite over it. Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City.
