Which team did Manchester City defeat 2–1 in their 2026–27 Premier League opener?
Answer
AFC Bournemouth
Manchester City defeated AFC Bournemouth 2–1 in their 2026–27 Premier League opener.
The match was played at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 23 August 2026. Bournemouth took the lead through Marcus Tavernier, but Manchester City fought back late to win 2–1.
Marc Guéhi equalised with a header before Joško Gvardiol scored the stoppage-time winner. Rayan Cherki assisted both City goals after coming on from the bench, making his substitute appearance one of the defining details of the match.
The victory began Enzo Maresca’s reign as Manchester City manager. It also ended Bournemouth’s run of 18 Premier League matches without defeat. The fixture should not be confused with Newcastle United versus Liverpool, another Sunday match that ended in a draw.