Manchester City made a winning start with late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol, and 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.
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.
