08/23/26 10:23:00
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08/23 10:22 CDT Man City rallies late for 2-1 win over Bournemouth in Maresca's
first Premier League game in charge
Man City rallies late for 2-1 win over Bournemouth in Maresca's first Premier
League game in charge
By STEVE DOUGLAS
AP Sports Writer
Manchester City marked Enzo Maresca's first Premier League game in charge with
a late rally, scoring twice from the 84th minute to grab a 2-1 victory at home
to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Josko Gvardiol placed a finish into the bottom corner in the first minute of
stoppage time for the winner, which was initially given offside before being
awarded following a video review, after Marc Guehi had equalized with a header
from a corner.
Maresca punched the air when Gvardiol's goal was awarded and hugged his players
on the field after the final whistle. A huge banner, reading "Welcome back
Enzo," was held aloft by City fans as the Italian --- Pep Guardiola's assistant
in City's treble-winning 2022-23 season --- emerged from the tunnel for his
first home game as manager.
Wearing a sharp, black suit, Maresca certainly looked the part on the touchline
but the slickness synonymous with City's play under Guardiola down the years
wasn't quite there until the late comeback sparked by substitute Rayan Cherki,
who set up both goals.
Maresca began his time as Guardiola's replacement with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in
the Community Shield last weekend.
Brighton destroys Villa
Brighton scored four goals in the opening 31 minutes and also missed a slew of
great chances in a 4-0 hammering of Aston Villa in the other early game.
To make matters worse for Villa, Joao Gomes was sent off for kicking out at
Brighton's Georginio Rutter in the 40th but the visitors somehow didn't concede
any more goals.
It has been a tough offseason for Villa, with key players Morgan Rogers, Youri
Tielemans and Ezri Konsa leaving and speculation surrounding the future of
Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez at the club.
Brighton was sharper, having been in European qualifying action in midweek.
Keegan tribute planned for Newcastle-Liverpool
Later, Liverpool visits Newcastle for a match at St. James' Park, where there
will be a tribute to Kevin Keegan --- a star player for both clubs ---
following his death last month at age 75.
There was a period of silence before kickoff at the Man City-Bournemouth match
in honor of Keegan, who was manager of City from 2001-05.
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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See AP's full soccer coverage here
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