Cherki changes the game for Maresca

Rayan Cherki came off the bench to transform Manchester City’s opening Premier League match under Enzo Maresca, creating two late goals in a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City had struggled to impose themselves for long periods after Marcus Tavernier put Bournemouth ahead in the 26th minute. Tavernier finished a move involving Evanilson, sweeping home a right-wing delivery after Bournemouth had already tested Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City threatened through Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland, but goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic kept out both players and Bournemouth remained in front until the closing stages. Justin Kluivert also went close before half-time, with Donnarumma forced to parry his drive.

Two assists in 11 decisive minutes

Cherki entered in the 63rd minute and immediately gave City’s attack greater urgency. His corner in the 84th minute found Marc Guehi unmarked, and the defender powered a header past Petrovic to level the contest.

The substitute then supplied the winning pass in stoppage time. Josko Gvardiol controlled Cherki’s delivery before slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner. The goal was checked by VAR for a possible offside in the build-up before it was awarded, prompting wild celebrations from Maresca on the touchline.

Cherki became the first Manchester City player since Ilkay Gundogan against Leeds United in December 2021 to assist multiple goals as a substitute in a single Premier League match.

Guehi experiment gives City another option

Maresca’s lineup included the surprise decision to deploy Marc Guehi in central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson. The former Crystal Palace player completed 56 of 59 passes and led all players on the pitch for passes into the final third, while also scoring City’s equaliser.

“Unfortunately, this is a work in progress, and that's why I'm looking for new solutions like Guehi as a midfielder – something different,” Maresca told Manchester City’s website.

The manager later said Guehi had performed “very good” in a role they had worked on during the week. Guehi responded: “We’re trying different things, trying different solutions for the team. I’m glad today that it paid off in the end.” Asked where he might play next, Guehi joked: “Who knows? Maybe up front. We’ll see!”

Winning start, but plenty to fix

City’s victory extended their run of winning opening Premier League matches to 15 in the last 16 seasons. However, Maresca acknowledged that the performance did not represent a dramatic improvement from the 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal seven days earlier.

“I feel in the same position as after Arsenal,” Maresca said. “I know most of you judge the results, but I don’t see a big difference from one week ago to today.”

City finished with 2.36 expected goals to Bournemouth’s 0.63, but their attack was largely ineffective before Cherki’s introduction. Bournemouth’s defeat ended an 18-match unbeaten Premier League run, their first loss since January. Maresca will now hope City can strengthen further, with a reported €100 million deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi potentially close to completion before the visit to Crystal Palace.