Maresca gets emotional winning start as Gvardiol sinks Bournemouth in stoppage time

MANCHESTER, England, Aug 23 : Enzo Maresca could hardly have scripted a more dramatic start to Premier League life as Manchester City manager.

For more than 80 minutes on Sunday, the doubts surrounding City's post-Pep Guardiola future appeared well founded as Bournemouth led at the Etihad Stadium and threatened to spoil the start of a new era.

The backdrop to this season has been one of uncertainty, with Guardiola's departure ending a decade of unprecedented success in which City won six Premier League titles and finally conquered Europe as part of a historic treble in 2022-23, while the exits of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones left Maresca with a squad searching for its new identity.

But City produced the sort of late surge that became a hallmark of the Guardiola years, with Marc Guehi equalising in the 84th minute before Josko Gvardiol struck a stoppage-time winner in a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory.

Erling Haaland, fresh from a World Cup that elevated him to cult-hero status and sporting a newly shaved head after ditching his trademark blonde locks, endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal, including a glaring early miss from Nico O'Reilly's inviting cross.

City, however, grew into the game, finishing with 13 shots to Bournemouth's five and monopolising possession for long spells.

Their persistence was finally rewarded when Guehi powered home a corner six minutes from time. Then in the 91st minute, substitute Rayan Cherki poked a clever pass through the Bournemouth defence and Gvardiol swivelled before slotting home. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, only for VAR to overturn the decision and send the Etihad into celebration.

'FANTASTIC SPIRIT'

"The spirit was fantastic," Maresca said.

A giant