The Vitality Stadium was full of life and vigor as the Cherries ended the champions’ 32-game unbeaten streak and recorded a historic victory against Manchester City for the first time in their history in the English Premiership match played on Saturday, November 2.
Bournemouth‘s impressive performance saw them score a goal in each half. Gvardiol’s consolation goal for City was not enough to prevent their defeat.
Lineups
Bournemouth: Travers; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook, Tavernier; Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson.
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo, Gundogan, Nunes; Foden, Haaland.
How the Match Unfolded
Bournemouth started the game with more intent, as Ederson saved Antoine Semenyo’s effort from the edge of the box. The rebound from Kluivert was equally saved, following the home side winning the ball high inside City’s half.
They finally got the lead after Milos Kerkez’s surging run into City’s box, and his cutback found Semenyo, who put the ball past Ederson in the 10th minute. Striker Evanilson almost gave Bournemouth another goal to celebrate immediately following the start of the game, but Ederson was there to save City.
The Bournemouth striker did score in the second period after he slid into Kerkez’s cross. The Cherries could have added more, with Marcus Tavernier hitting the crossbar while Alex Scott fired his effort high with a gaping net in front of him.
Highlights from our defeat to Bournemouth in the @premierleague 📺 pic.twitter.com/XQp1J9iXcP
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 2, 2024
City did pull one back with Josko Gvardiol’s header, but it wasn’t enough for the Citizens to claim anything from the match. Erling Haaland had an effort cleared off the line in the game’s dying minutes. At the same time, Foden’s shot was wide, but Bournemouth held on for a historic win.
Post-Match Analysis
Bournemouth, fueled by their earlier victory against Arsenal and their high-tempo intensity game, proved too much for City, who have been struggling with injuries to key personnel. City’s midfield looked very light, with the notable absence of Rodri, who sweeps balls. Still, Semenyo was allowed to run freely each time the home side had the ball.
What the Managers Said
This is how Bournemouth Manager Andoni Iraola described the game: “It was a great game. We did everything we could. We needed our very best performance, not the greatest game [from City], and that happened. It is very good to beat City and even better to beat them deservedly.
“They [Semenyo and Kerkez] played very well in the last few games, and today they had the finishing product. Milos had two assists. We felt he deserved to get the numbers, and I am happy as it was a complete performance. Defensively, not only them but overall, to beat a team like City, you need everyone to play well, and today they did.“
Pep Guardiola of Man City: “They had chances. We created as well at the end, but we could not win any balls from the wingers. They were challenging to play in the first half. We knew how they would play. It was well-deserved. The guys give everything because, after nine years together, they always will.
“We would like to keep defending it [unbeaten run], but how many games and months we did it… it’s great. We have another game in two days in Portugal, and we have to go again.”
What’s Next
City dropped to second with 23 points, with the defending champions looking to come back against Brighton next. Bournemouth will take on Brentford as they rise to eighth on the table.
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