Late Drama at the Etihad: Gvardiol Rescues Maresca's First City Win
Enzo Maresca secured the result he wanted. Manchester City took the lead in the final moments against Bournemouth, then made it safe within six intense minutes. Josko Gvardiol drove the ball home in the first minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 victory, after a long video review changed the goal from offside to onside. It was the Italian's first win in a competitive match after he had taken over from Pep Guardiola, and it came very close to not taking place. For long periods, City lacked the fluidity that characterised the Guardiola era, and it wasn't until two substitutions from the bench that the situation turned around. Rayan Cherki, brought on as a substitute, was responsible for both goals: he first created the header by Marc Guehi in the 84th minute from a corner to equalise, and then, shortly after stoppage time began, set up Josko Gvardiol's winning goal.  Before the match even started, Guehi's selection sparked a reaction. Maresca had taken the risk of using the summer transfer signing — a natural centre-back — as his holding midfielder, ignoring more established players as backups. With his first-choice midfielder Rodri already moved to Barcelona and City still working to bring in 18-year-old Moroccan international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille on what was reported to be a €100 million ($117 million) deal, the decision seemed uncertain at times. Guehi adapted to the role, and it was appropriate that he scored the goal that led to the win. Erling Haaland, with a newly shaved buzz cut that had already gone viral before the match began, missed several decent chances and remained goalless in the Premier League opener for the first time since he joined the club in 2022. A large "Welcome back, Enzo " banner was displayed as Maresca walked out before the game started — the same person who previously served as Guardiola's assistant on this touchline when City achieved the treble in the 2022-23 season. After the goal was confirmed, he punched the air and then, at full time, ran onto the pitch to hug his players. "It is the perfect day, to be honest," Maresca remarked afterwards. "I was very happy when I saw the banner on the other side... it was quite emotional and the perfect day." The victory comes just one week after Maresca's first match in charge, a harsh 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield. It provides an early indication that the midfield he has restructured can operate without Rodri.  In other parts of the country, during an emotionally charged opening weekend, Liverpool and Newcastle paid tribute to Kevin Keegan — who had played for both teams and died last month at the age of 75 — with commemorative shirts, a mosaic and a stadium tifo before the match started under two new managers, Andoni Iraola and Matthias Jaissle, respectively. The game itself was highly unpredictable: Anthony Elanga gave Newcastle the lead within five minutes, Cody Gakpo equalised, Joe Willock then put the home side back in front just a minute after coming on, and Dominik Szoboszlai secured the victory in the ninth minute of stoppage time by hitting a penalty into the top corner after Victor Munoz had been fouled.  At the Amex, Brighton had scored four goals against Aston Villa within the first half hour and then carried the match the rest of the way, even though they missed several further opportunities. For Villa, the afternoon got worse when Joao Gomes was given a sending-off in the 40th minute for kicking out at Georginio Rutter, marking off a terrible beginning to a season which has already been affected by the departures of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa, and which is also marred by uncertainty regarding Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez.
