Man City stumbles in shock defeat to Bournemouth

Manchester City suffered a significant setback in their Premier League campaign, falling 2-1 to Bournemouth in an unexpected defeat. Milos Kerkez delivered an outstanding performance, playing a crucial role in the upset that saw City relinquish their top spot to Liverpool, who secured a win against Brighton & Hove Albion.

City’s difficult week continues

This loss caps off a challenging week for Manchester City. Midweek, they were eliminated from the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur, a result that had manager Pep Guardiola voicing concerns about his team’s growing injury list. However, some of those concerns were alleviated with the return of key defenders Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji, who joined Nathan Aké and Josko Gvardiol in the backline.

Early struggles and Kerkez’s impact

Bournemouth wasted no time in taking advantage of City's defensive lapses. Just minutes into the game, Milos Kerkez delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, which Antoine Semenyo controlled and turned into the net, putting the home side ahead. Gvardiol, who had looked solid in recent matches, was caught out in this moment, allowing Semenyo the space to strike. Kerkez continued to make his presence felt, thwarting City’s attempts to respond. The Hungarian defender’s critical block on a Bernardo Silva shot 20 minutes after the opener kept Bournemouth’s lead intact and showcased his dual impact on both ends of the field.

City’s lackluster offense

Erling Haaland, usually the focal point of City’s attack, struggled to make a significant impact in the first half. His only notable attempt came from a powerful shot that missed the target. Bournemouth, on the other hand, proved more efficient with their opportunities. Justin Kluivert set up Semenyo for what looked like a sure goal, but hesitation from the forward allowed City to recover.

Bournemouth extends the lead

The home side doubled their advantage in the 64th minute, capitalizing on Kerkez’s excellent service once again. The defender sent a precise, low cross into the box, which Brazilian forward Evanilson met with a sliding finish to make it 2-0. Bournemouth then had a chance to further extend their lead, but Marcus Tavernier's shot hit the post, and Adam Smith squandered the rebound with an overzealous effort.

Late drama and City’s missed opportunities

Manchester City managed to narrow the deficit in the closing stages through a well-placed header from Gvardiol, reigniting their hopes of salvaging a point. The reigning champions pressed forward, and Haaland nearly equalized with a close-range header that was saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers. The rebound fell kindly for Haaland, but his follow-up attempt clattered off the post, leaving City frustrated.

Liverpool takes the top spot

With this defeat, City failed to capitalize on Arsenal’s earlier points drop and ceded first place to Liverpool. The result was a bitter blow to Guardiola’s side, who now face increased pressure in the title race as they look to regroup after a tough week. Bournemouth, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their spirited performance and the standout contributions of Kerkez, whose efforts were instrumental in their well-deserved victory.