Ten video games right into a season is often seen as an correct barometer of the place golf equipment can count on to finish up on the finish of the marketing campaign, and if that proves to be the case then there may very well be new Premier League champions topped for the primary time in 5 years.
In fact, Manchester Metropolis solely sit two factors behind Liverpool after being deservedly overwhelmed by Bournemouth on the Vitality Stadium, however it isn’t a lot the league desk however the method of the defeat which can concern Metropolis followers.
Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring within the first half, taking his tally for the season to 4 within the Premier League, earlier than Brazilian ahead Evanilson netted after the break handy Pep Guardiola’s aspect a primary league defeat of the season.
Guardiola’s aspect have been uncharacteristically sloppy on the again this season, having now conceded 11 targets of their ten video games performed following this defeat, and proved to be as soon as once more. This was the fourth time his group have conceded the primary purpose in a recreation this season. The distinction, nevertheless, is that they’ve gone on to win their earlier 11 video games after they have conceded first.
The opening purpose ought to have come sooner too. The house aspect set the tone early on when Ederson produced a powerful double save to first deny Semenyo, earlier than reacting fantastically to maintain out a comply with up strike from Justin Kluivert.
However the Cherries didn’t have to attend lengthy for his or her opener. Milos Kerkez bought the higher of Phil Foden down Bournemouth’s left-hand aspect earlier than squaring it to Semenyo within the center who, together with his again to purpose, turned sharply and picked out the underside nook to provide his aspect the lead.
Metropolis’s disappointing defensive report this season has been eased by the very fact they’ve, unsurprisingly, scored a league-high 21 targets, however Guardiola’s group had been removed from their typical harmful selves too. Kerkez produced a fantastic block to disclaim Bernardo Silva a purpose in Metropolis’s greatest probability of the primary half whereas Haaland additionally shot simply extensive after chesting the ball down on the again put up however they struggled to create many clear alternatives.
The reigning champions, often so adept at controlling video games with their relentless possession earlier than killing groups off, had been uncovered time and time once more on the quick break by Bournemouth’s electrical entrance 4 of Marcus Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo and Evanilson.
And that’s precisely how the second purpose happened too, the sensible Semenyo bursting ahead earlier than feeding Kerkez on the overlap to notch his second help of the sport, crossing for Evanilson to slip in and end previous Ederson.
It ought to actually have been three when Tavernier’s curling strike smacked the put up earlier than captain Adam Smith blazed over on the rebound.
Metropolis got a lifeline when Ilkay Gundogan’s cross was met by the pinnacle of defender Josko Gvardiol, who headed in off the put up to seize his third of the season and arrange a nervous ending for the house followers.
However today belonged to Andoni Iraola’s Cherries, who proceed to point out they will combine it with the Premier League’s large boys.
