With three points claimed on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Premier League season, here are the five things City Xtra learned from Manchester City's opening win against Bournemouth.
The importance of Marc Guehi to Manchester City
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Manchester City kicked off their 2026/27 Premier League season with a battling comeback win against a stubborn Bournemouth side on Sunday afternoon, with the Cherries now also led by new management in Marc Rose.
Supporters made their way into the Etihad Stadium at the weekend ready to welcome in a new era under manager Enzo Maresca after a decade of success and silverware under the guidance of the legendary Pep Guardiola.
The Italian manager's tenure got off to a troubled start as a poor defensive display led to the visitors from the south coast taking the lead through Marcus Tavernier. In the dying moments of the first-half, it appeared Rico Lewis was fouled inside the penalty area by Alex Scott, but the referee blew for half-time without a VAR check.
Manchester City looked better in the second-half and piled the pressure on the Cherries, but could not find that all-important breakthrough. But just when all hope seemed lost with five minutes to go, Marc Guehi fired his side back level with a powerful header from Rayan Cherki's corner.
The Frenchman then turned provider once again for another defender, as Josko Gvardiol scored the winner following a VAR check which showed the Croatian international to be onside.
And after the first three points of the Enzo Maresca era in the Premier League, here are five things we learned from Manchester City's opener against Bournemouth.
Manchester City came from behind to record a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in their opening Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season.
cityxtra.co.uk Match Report & Player Ratings: Man City 2-1 Bournemouth (Premier League) Manchester City came from behind to record a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in their opening Premier League fixture of the 2026/27 season.
Manchester City will always fight until the very end
Many things have changed at the Etihad Stadium this summer with some very high-profile comings and goings at the club, but it is relieving to see one thing has remained.
No, it's not Erling Haaland's ponytail, as that is now long gone too, but rather Manchester City's dogged determination to always battle to the end.
That fighting spirit has been something of a moniker following the famous late goals of Paul Dickov against Gillingham in 1999 and Sergio Aguero's title-winner against Queens Park Rangers in 2012, and it has clearly remained as we head into 2026/27.
Just when the game looks gone, Manchester City have a knack of coming back to life, and Sunday's turnaround was wonderful to witness.
The Citizens had looked largely off it throughout the weekend's game, but when it mattered, the team hauled themselves back into it, and that is a fantastic attribute to still have going forward.
Rayan Cherki: The magician
Undoubtedly one of Manchester City's star players last campaign, Rayan Cherki had to make do with starting on the bench this time around.
Watching on from the sidelines, the winger saw his side go behind and then struggle to create clear-cut chances to get back into the match, before an inspired substitution from Enzo Maresca saw Cherki introduced and the Frenchman made sure to have an impact.
His pinpoint corner was smashed home by the head of Marc Guehi, before his tidy, defence-breaking pass was turned in by Josko Gvardiol.
Two assists from Rayan Cherki meant a vital three points for Manchester City, and it was a stern reminder that for all the team's defensive issues, the club has a very special talent at the other end of the pitch.
New season, same problems
All too often last season, Manchester City made poor defensive mistakes which lead to the team shipping far too many goals across the year.
Now a new campaign has started under a new coach but despite it being a summer of change at the club, these errors have evidently stayed the same.
Bournemouth's opener on Sunday afternoon was an embarrassment for Manchester City, with defenders pulled out of position far too easily.
The Cherries cut through the sky blue backline like a hot knife through butter, much to the home fans' collective disapointment.
If Manchester City are to mount a title challenge this year, these poor defensive displays have to be remedied, or it could be a third successive year without the Premier League crown.
Elliot Anderson's Etihad Stadium debut
One clear positive from the Premier League opener was the Elliot Anderson's debut for the club at the Etihad Stadium.
The England midfielder, one of just two signings - at the time of writing - for Manchester City this transfer window so far, looked a real live-wire in the engine room.
Anderson was quick to the ball and worked hard throughout his hour on the pitch until he was forced off with an injury.
In a midfield severely depleted thanks to the departures of Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rodri all in one summer, it was refreshing to see some quality injected back in.
Manchester City fans will be hoping that an apparent injury to Elliot Anderson - described as simply cramp by Enzo Maresca - is not too serious, as he was one of the best players on Sunday and undoubtedly an important cog in the team going forward.
Manchester City's new club-record signing Elliot Anderson was withdrawn with an injury in the second-half of their 2026/27 Premier League opener against Bournemouth.cityxtra.co.ukElliot Anderson Hauled Off With Injury Worry in Man City's Premier League Opener Against Bournemouth
Manchester City's new club-record signing Elliot Anderson was withdrawn with an injury in the second-half of their 2026/27 Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Rico Lewis?
Let me get this straight: I don't like signalling individual players out for criticism in these five things learned pieces, and I rarely do it.
However, an exception has to be made for Rico Lewis and I believe I am with the majority of the Manchester City faithful in asking why he played against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
The versatile English player has certainly played some excellent games in sky blue, but those were a long time ago now.
In more recent times, Rico Lewis has looked out of his depth in the Manchester City squad during his rare appearances, and it was certainly a surprise to see him starting at the weekend.
The 21-year-old looked poor once more in the Premier League opener as Bournemouth stormed into the lead, and it was to no one's surprise when Lewis was hooked early on in the second half, and I can't realistically see him staying at the club with some days of the transfer window left.
Manchester City defender Rico Lewis has addressed speculation surrounding his future at the Etihad Stadium in a new interview.cityxtra.co.ukManchester City defender Rico Lewis has addressed speculation surrounding his future at the Etihad Stadium in a new interview.
Rico Lewis breaks silence on Man City future after Elliot Anderson exchange discussions