By Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson got on the scoresheet as the hosts held on for a stunning 2-1 victory over champions Manchester City on Saturday, ending the visitors’ unbeaten streak in the Premier League at 32 games.
The loss dropped Pep Guardiola’s City – which had not lost in the league since a 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa on December 6 – to second in the table with 23 points after 10 matches, two points behind Liverpool. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side climbed to eighth on 15 points with its first victory over City in the club’s history.
Bournemouth were rewarded for their strong start with Semenyo’s ninth-minute goal, and Evanilson doubled the lead in the 64th minute. City, struggling with injuries to key players, created a nervy finish after pulling a goal back in the 82nd minute, but Bournemouth held on for the shock win.
“We knew we couldn’t match the intensity,” said a disappointed Guardiola. “We had chances at the end, but I congratulate Bournemouth for the victory.”
City’s scoring machine Erling Haaland failed to find the net, with Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers making a crucial late save to deny the Norwegian striker. The defeat ends City’s remarkable 32-game unbeaten run in the Premier League, a record that had stretched back to December 2022.
The result represents a major upset in the title race, with Liverpool now leading the champions by two points. Bournemouth’s historic win over the reigning Premier League champions will be celebrated long into the night on the south coast.
Guardiola’s side will now look to bounce back quickly and regain their place at the top of the table. But this shock defeat to Bournemouth will serve as a wake-up call that their dominance can be challenged, setting the stage for an enthralling battle for the title in the months ahead.
