Manchester City’s remarkable Premier League run met an unexpected end on Saturday as Bournemouth delivered a stunning 2-1 victory, marking City’s first league defeat since last December. After 32 unbeaten games, the reigning champions saw their streak halted on the south coast, shaking their bid for a fifth successive title. Bournemouth, who had never defeated City in their 21 prior encounters and had lost 19 of those, pulled off an upset that has raised questions about City’s title defence under Pep Guardiola.
This defeat comes in the wake of Bournemouth’s recent victory over Arsenal, where the Cherries dented the Gunners’ title hopes with a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium. City, dealing with several injuries following their midweek League Cup loss to Tottenham, saw key players like Manuel Akanji, Kyle Walker, and Josko Gvardiol return to the starting lineup, while Kevin De Bruyne, Savinho, and Jeremy Doku were fit enough for the bench. Yet, despite this bolstered lineup, City struggled against a determined Bournemouth side.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo drew first blood just nine minutes into the match, capitalising on Milos Kerkez’s well-placed cross to put the home side ahead. City found themselves further behind in the 64th minute when Evanilson expertly finished another Kerkez cross, putting Bournemouth firmly in control. A late goal from Gvardiol in the 82nd minute gave City a glimmer of hope, but they couldn’t overcome the deficit, resulting in a second defeat in just four days.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s title push took a serious blow as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Newcastle at St James’ Park. Alexander Isak’s 12th-minute header, courtesy of an accurate cross from Anthony Gordon, secured Newcastle’s victory. With a depleted squad due to injuries, Arsenal struggled to find momentum, managing just one shot on target throughout the match. Mikel Arteta’s team, runners-up for the last two seasons, have now earned only one point from their last three matches, distancing them further from the top spot. Arteta expressed frustration, saying, “Today we weren’t our best version. It’s about how you react to that.”
Liverpool took advantage of City and Arsenal’s missteps, seizing the top spot in the league standings. The reshuffling at the top has intensified the competition for the title as the season progresses, promising a close fight for Premier League dominance.
Also read | Colors of Evil Red: Zofia Jastrzebska shines in a gripping Whodunit