Manchester City 1 (Josko Gvardiol 82′)
Bournemouth 2 (Semenyo 9′, Evanilson 64′)
Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City fell to their first defeat of the Premier League season with a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth. The hosts deservedly won the match although City did make them fight late on to preserve their lead.
There was a boost pre-game for the champions with Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku all returning to the City squad. That was a boost for the champions although Kevin De Bruyne didn’t feature in the game. Kyle Walker started and Jeremy Doku made a late cameo appearance off the bench.
First half
Bournemouth began the game full of energy and a superb double save from Ederson prevented the Cherries from taking the lead in the second minute.
Bournemouth were up for the contest and their pressing and all-around energy was giving Pep Guardiola’s side a host of issues. Based on the early stages of the game it was no surprise to see Bournemouth take the lead in the 9th minute through Antoine Semenyo. Full credit must go to Milos Kerkez for setting up the goal but Phil Foden’s defensive effort left a lot to be desired.
The remainder of the first half followed a pattern of City dominating possession in non-threatening areas of the pitch. Bournemouth’s press and ability on the counter posed the most dangerous threat of the first half which Andoni Iraola’s side deserves credit for.
At half-time City went in 1-nil down but barely offered a threat going forward.
Second half
The second half began with Ederson forced into action immediately after the restart. City’s number one keeper made a superb save from Evanilson to keep the score at 1-nil. From there City grew into the game. Phil Foden missed City’s best chance to equalise in the opening stages of the second half as he dragged a shot from 12 yards wide after being teed up by Matheus Nunes.
Bournemouth continued to pose a threat on the break and they doubled their lead in the 64th minute. Milos Kerkez set up Evanilson with a great piece of play and the Brazilian striker doubled Bournemouth’s lead.
The hosts should’ve made it 3-nil minutes later when Marcus Tavernier hit the post and Adam Smith skied the subsequent rebound.
From there the game looked like it would play out to a comfortable Bournemouth victory. But a thumping Josko Gvardiol header in the 82nd minute set up a grandstand finish. The Croatian international headed home sublimely from a precise Ilkay Gundogan cross.
Manchester City laid siege to the Bournemouth goal in the final stages. Jeremy Doku forced a fine save from Mark Travers late on. Erling Haaland saw a header saved, and his rebound effort hit the post. Phil Foden then had City’s final chance of the game but his late effort went inches wide as City’s late flurry went unrewarded.
Here are the City player ratings from the Vitality Stadium.
City player ratings
Ederson-9/10: He made several key saves and was at his best for the entire game. Without him, Manchester City may have suffered a heavy defeat.
Kyle Walker-4.5/10: Cannot fault his effort as it was a Herculean effort from Walker to even play. But he looked like a player who hadn’t played for several weeks.
Manuel Akanji-5.5/10: He wasn’t at his usual high standards for the majority of the game.
Nathan Ake-5/10: Ake looked leggy from kickoff. He tried hard but he isn’t fit enough yet to play two games in 4 games. It was a valiant effort from Ake to play as long as he did.
Josko Gvardiol-7.5/10: He scored City’s late goal and always offered a threat going forward. Defended well in a good display from Gvardiol.
Mateo Kovacic-6.5/10: In my opinion, Kovacic was the pick of City’s midfielders. He toiled away all game to his credit.
Ilkay Gundogan-6/10: Gundogan set up Gvardiol’s goal with a precise cross. He looked better than in previous games but is still working his way back into touch.
Phil Foden-6.5/10: Foden could’ve been the hero for Manchester City on another day. He spurned several good chances which is unlike Foden.
Bernardo Silva -6.5/10: Never stopped trying throughout the game. He wasn’t at his damaging best, but his work rate can’t be faulted.
Matheus Nunes-7/10: Another good display from Nunes. He was Manchester City’s biggest threat on the left-hand side for the majority of the afternoon.
Erling Haaland-5/10: Another game where Haaland suffered from a lack of service. His best chance of the afternoon came late but a fine save from Mark Travers and the post denied Haaland. That summed up his afternoon.
Substitutes
Rico Lewis-7/10: The introduction of Lewis sparked the champions. It was no coincidence that City looked at their best with Lewis on the pitch. That shows just how important he has become to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Jeremy Doku-N/A: Not on long enough to mark but did bring a threat down City’s left wing late on.
