Man City suffer shock 2-1 Premier League loss at Bournemouth
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Manchester City's Manuel Akanji reacting to their 2-1 loss to Bournemouth on Nov 2.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
LONDON - Manchester City’s 32-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end in a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth on Nov 2, with the English champions usurped by Liverpool, who have a two-point lead at the top of the table.
The Cherries struck either side of half-time through Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson, before Josko Gvardiol pulled one back for City.
Pep Guardiola’s men were beaten for the first time this season in any competition in a League Cup exit to Tottenham Hotspur in midweek and were hampered by a number of injuries.
Bournemouth were rewarded for their strong start with Semenyo’s ninth-minute goal. Milos Kerkez superbly worked the ball up the left side to the byline before sending a low cross to Semenyo, who turned and beat goalkeeper Ederson.
Evanilson doubled the lead in the 64th when he latched onto Kerkez’s cross and slotted home.
City, who have been struggling with injuries to key players, created a nervy finish after pulling a goal back in the 82nd minute when Josko Gvardiol leapt to meet Ilkay Gundogan’s cross, his looping header pushed in off the bar by Mark Travers.
That came two minutes after City’s scoring machine Erling Haaland had his side’s first shot on target and the visitors kept the pressure on Travers, who had had little to do up to that point, and Bournemouth’s defence in the dying minutes.
Travers made a terrific save in added time to help secure Bournemouth’s win when he stopped Haaland’s header from close range. The striker then fired his own rebound off the post.
“We knew we couldn’t match the intensity,” said Guardiola. “We have talked about it. It was an open game. We had chances at the end but I congratulate Bournemouth for the victory.”
Bournemouth's Evanilson celebrates with Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo after scoring their second goal in the 2-1 win over Manchester City on Nov 2.
PHOTO: REUTERS
City have been hampered by a long list of injuries, although winger Jeremy Doku made a surprise return and the second-half substitute instantly made his presence felt.
Neither captain Kyle Walker nor key midfielder Kevin de Bruyne were expected to play either but the former started and the latter returned to the bench.
Phil Foden also had a decent chance for City but dragged his shot wide of the net in the second half.
Haaland went down after a challenge from Lewis Cook just before the hour but VAR determined it was a fair tackle. The Norwegian was on the ground for several minutes receiving treatment before continuing but could not find the net.
But a first league defeat since December was not as costly as it could have been as title rivals Arsenal also fell to defeat, 1-0 at Newcastle. AFP, REUTERS
