Maresca makes winning start with Man City after dramatic fightback

Manchester City made a winning start to life without Pep Guardiola as late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bournemouth on Sunday in Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League game as the Spaniard’s replacement.

Marcus Tavernier’s first half goal put Bournemouth ahead at the Etihad Stadium before City staged a pulsating fightback in the final minutes.

Marc Guehi headed City’s equaliser with six minutes left before Gvardiol stroked in the stoppage-time winner, reports Super Sports

Guardiola won 20 trophies, including six Premier League titles, during a glorious decade with City.

His reign started with a late win at home to Sunderland in 2016 and Maresca will hope his own narrow victory serves as the prelude to an equally successful spell.

Maresca insists he can replicate Guardiola’s trophy haul if he is given time to handle the “big changes” at the club.

City’s lacklustre 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in last weekend’s Community Shield raised questions about their ability to keep pace with the Premier League champions this season.

For much of their top-flight opener, City were again short of inspiration in attack and cohesion at the back.

But they found a way to dig out a result that allowed Maresca to breath a sigh of relief.

It is a time of major upheaval at City, with Rodri, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Tijjani Reijnders all leaving and Savinho set to join Tottenham.

England midfielder Elliot Anderson has been Maresca’s only major signing and he was unimpressive before hobbling off in the second half.

City are set to sign teenage Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille in a deal worth £86 million, according to reports on Sunday.

But more new recruits will be needed if City are to close the gap on Arsenal.

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