Manchester City’s long unbeaten run in the Premier League was finally broken by a rampant Bournemouth, who took advantage of the champions’ injury crisis and earned a thoroughly deserved 2-1 win.
Pep Guardiola urged some players to play through the pain a day before the game and named a squad containing Savinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku and a line-up including Gvardiol, Akanji and Walker, who were all previously doubtful due to various fitness issues.
Walker may as well have not played as he had a shocker, losing his feet on two occasions and his marker many times. He was nowhere to be seen when Milos Kerkez set up Antoine Semenyo to score in the ninth minute after an electric start from the Cherries. City had the ball but couldn’t do anything with it, with Bournemouth looking like they wanted it far more. They doubled their lead when the livewire Kerkez raced past Walker after an end-to-end move and Evanilson slid in to divert the cross past Ederson.
A powerful header from Josko Gvardiol with eight minutes remaining made for a frantic finish and City looked certain to strike late and rescue the game, as they had done against Arsenal and Wolves. But Erling Haaland hit the woodwork and Phil Foden also wasted an injury-time chance as Guardiola’s side fell to a second consecutive defeat after exiting the Carabao Cup to Tottenham.
GOAL rates Man City’s players from the Vitality Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (6/10):
Made a wonderful double save to thwart Semenyo and Patrick Kluivert. Couldn’t really be faulted for the goals but his kicking was weak.
Kyle Walker (3/10):
In the team amid much surprise after Guardiola had said he would be out until after the international break. Looked awfully rusty, being destroyed by Kerkez.
Manuel Akanji (5/10):
Struggled to deal with Bournemouth’s running in behind.
Nathan Ake (5/10):
Too slow to react for both goals. Got a standing ovation from his former club’s supporters. Perhaps they were saying thanks for his passiveness.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
Poor for both Bournemouth goals, turned by Semenyo and then lost the race with Evanilson. Compensated at the other end by giving City hope with his thumping header.
Midfield
Mateo Kovacic (5/10):
Too cumbersome in possession.
Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):
Couldn’t match Bournemouth’s intensity but set up Gvardiol.
Bernardo Silva (7/10):
City’s best attacker, responsible for their best moments.
