Manchester City came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in a dramatic Premier League opener at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with two late goals rescuing Enzo Maresca's first league match in charge of the club.
Bournemouth, under new manager Marco Rose, took a deserved lead in the 26th minute through Marcus Tavernier, who slotted home at the back post to put the visitors ahead and give City a real fright on home turf.
City pushed for an equaliser for much of the second half, with Erling Haaland missing several chances and Marc Guéhi somehow heading wide from close range with the goal at his mercy. But Guéhi made amends in the 84th minute, rising to head home a corner and pull City level. Deep into stoppage time, Josko Gvardiol got on the end of a Rayan Cherki through ball to steer City in front, with the goal standing after a lengthy VAR check into an initial offside call.
The win gives Maresca his first Premier League victory since replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, following a difficult pre-season that included a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield. It also means City avoid back-to-back defeats to open the campaign, after ending last season with a loss to Aston Villa.
Bournemouth, who finished sixth and qualified for Europe for the first time last season, will feel they let a good opportunity slip after taking the lead and controlling long spells of the game, but ultimately fell to City's late fightback on the opening weekend of the new season.
