Headline: Manchester City Secures Late Victory in Premier League Opener Against Bournemouth
Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City turned the tables late in the match to clinch a victory in his first Premier League game as manager, also marking Marco Rose’s managerial debut for Bournemouth.
Below is how I rated the players, and then how you rated the players.
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Manchester City
Gianluigi Donnarumma: While unable to prevent Bournemouth’s opening goal, Donnarumma showcased his skills with excellent saves against Justin Kluivert’s low-shot and Daniel Jebbison’s flick. 6
Rico Lewis: Operating from right-back and transitioning into midfield, Lewis attempted an early shot but overall struggled with his contributions before being substituted. 5
Abdukodir Khusanov: Failed to make a challenge on Rayan leading to Bournemouth’s opening goal and could not recover in time to intervene. 5
Ruben Dias: As the new captain, Dias was at fault for conceding the first goal, missing his chance to clear a long ball.5
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Josko Gvardiol: The Croatian defender was initially absent during Bournemouth’s goal but made a decisive impact by scoring the injury-time winner. 7
Marc Guehi: Playing a new holding midfield role, Guehi managed to net a late equalizer as City sought stability with incoming player Ayyoub Bouaddi. 6
Elliot Anderson: The club’s record-signing displayed flashes of his potential, covering significant ground and disrupting opposition plays effectively. 6
Antoine Semenyo: Despite his promising pre-season, Semenyo couldn’t make his mark during the match. 5
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Nico O’Reilly: Positioned as a number 10, O’Reilly struggled to generate notable chances and was replaced in the second half. 5
Phil Foden: Foden showed promise in the early stages, creating opportunities but diminished in influence as the match progressed. 5
Erling Haaland: With a new haircut, the Norwegian forward missed several chances, raising questions about his performance consistency. 5
Subs:
Matheus Nunes (on 56, Lewis): Delivered an inconspicuous performance. 5
Rayan Cherki (on 62, O’Reilly): Came off the bench to make a significant impact, providing two crucial assists which could lead to a starting position in the upcoming match against Crystal Palace. 8
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Mateo Kovacic (on 62, Anderson): Questions arise whether he should have started over Guehi. 5
Jack Grealish (on 82, Foden): 5
Subs not used: Rulli, Marmoush, Gonzalez, Ait-Nouri, Reis.
Bournemouth
Djordje Petrovic: Excelled with a diving save against both Haaland and Semenyo, although he was eventually beaten in the closing moments. 6
Adam Smith: The Bournemouth captain effectively neutralized Semenyo throughout the game. 6
Antonio Silva: The Portuguese newcomer displayed comfort as a ball-playing center-half, impressively defending against Haaland but was cautioned for dissent. 7
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James Hill: Continued to build on his strong form from last season with a reliable display in defense. 6
Adrien Truffert: Provided solid coverage for his center-backs, successfully thwarting Haaland’s efforts in the first half. 6
Alex Scott: Emerging as a potential star, Scott demonstrated his skills and composure, catching the eye of bigger clubs including City. 8
Lewis Cook: An unsung hero for Bournemouth, Cook’s hard work helped maintain the team’s defensive structure. 7
Marcus Tavernier: Clinched the opening goal to surprise home fans and narrowly missed another opportunity before halftime. 8
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Justin Kluivert: Alongside a dynamic front, Kluivert troubled City’s defense and was left unfortunate not to score. 6
Rayan: Displayed a high work rate and significantly contributed to Bournemouth’s early success. 7
Evanilson: Set up Tavernier beautifully with his cross but also picked up a booking. 6
Subs:
Tyler Adams (on 75, Cook): 5
Daniel Jebbison (on 75, Evanilson): Came off the bench to challenge Donnarumma with a shot. 6
Alex Toth (on 75, Kluivert): 5
Ben Gannon-Doak (on 89, Rayan): 5
Subs not used: Dennis, Brooks, Diakite, Sanchez, Rodriguez.
How did you rate the players?
Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City came from behind late on to win his first Premier League game in charge. It was also Marco Rose’s managerial debut for Bournemouth.
Below is how I rated the players, and then how you rated the players.
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Manchester City
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Could do nothing about Bournemouth’s opener but made superb saves to deny Justin Kluivert’s low effort and Daniel Jebbison’s flicked header. 6
Rico Lewis: Inverting into midfield from right-back, Lewis got forward and had an early effort saved but lacked quality overall before being taken off. 5
Abdukodir Khusanov: Missed a challenge on Rayan in the lead-up to Bournemouth’s first goal and could not recover to stop the effort. 5
Ruben Dias: The new captain was culpable when conceding the opener too, failing to get his head on a long ball over the top. 5
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Josko Gvardiol: Better at left-back or in the centre? Whatever the case, the Croatian was nowhere to be seen for Bournemouth’s goal before popping up to score a cool injury time winner. 7
Marc Guehi: The England defender played in an unfamiliar holding midfield role but managed to score a late equaliser. With Ayyoub Bouaddi incoming, this experiment might only last one game. 6
Elliot Anderson: Club record signing Anderson showed glimpses of what he will bring to his new side, covering plenty of ground and often snuffing out the danger. 6
Antoine Semenyo: Looked bright in pre-season but unable to exert his influence on this game. 5
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Nico O’Reilly: Deployed in the number 10 role, the England international created few opportunities of note and was taken off on the hour mark. 5
Phil Foden: Bright in the early stages, seeing plenty of the ball and playing a delightful flick for Lewis’ chance but faded away. 5
Erling Haaland: Sporting a fresh new trim, the Norway striker somehow missed a sitter from a couple of yards out in the first half, while blazing over and scuffing another wide in the second. Has he lost his superpowers after chopping off his blonde locks? 5
Subs:
Matheus Nunes (on 56, Lewis): Nothing noteworthy. 5
Rayan Cherki (on 62, O’Reilly): Came on and changed the game for City. Provided two assists and will now be hoping to start on Friday at Crystal Palace. 8
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Mateo Kovacic (on 62, Anderson): Should he have started in midfield instead of Guehi? 5
Jack Grealish (on 82, Foden): 5
Subs not used: Rulli, Marmoush, Gonzalez, Ait-Nouri, Reis.
Bournemouth
Djordje Petrovic: A diving save at full stretch denied both Haaland and Semenyo but beaten late on by Guehi and Gvardiol. 6
Adam Smith: The skipper kept Semenyo under lock and key throughout the game. 6
Antonio Silva: The Portuguese debutant looked comfortable as a ball-playing centre-half and showed he can mix it with the rough stuff against Haaland. Looks like being another shrewd signing but was yellow-carded for dissent. 7
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James Hill: Continued his excellent form from last season by putting in a solid performance in the heart of the Bournemouth defence. 6
Adrien Truffert: Covered his centre-backs well to deny Haaland in the first half. 6
Alex Scott: A star in the making. The midfielder showcased why he has been linked with a move to City, displaying sublime composure on the ball throughout. 8
Lewis Cook: Nothing flashy, just a hardworking cog in Bournemouth’s well-oiled machine. A real team player. 7
Marcus Tavernier: Coolly converted the opener at the back post to stun the home supporters and narrowly curled wide before half-time. 8
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Justin Kluivert: Bournemouth’s pacy frontline caused City issues and Kluivert was another menace. Unlucky not to score. 6
Rayan: Full of running and played a major part in the goal. Forced Donnarumma into a good save at his near post. 7
Evanilson: Picked out Tavernier perfectly with his low cross but was booked too. 6
Subs:
Tyler Adams (on 75, Cook): 5
Daniel Jebbison (on 75, Evanilson): Forced Donnarumma into a good save after coming on. 6
Alex Toth (on 75, Kluivert): 5
Ben Gannon-Doak (on 89, Rayan): 5
Subs not used: Dennis, Brooks, Diakite, Sanchez, Rodriguez.
How did you rate the players?
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