Premier League: Maresca’s ‘perfect day’

AP:

A big welcome from the fans at the start. A stoppage-time winner at the end.

For Enzo Maresca, it was the “perfect day” as he earned his first victory as Manchester City manager.

City produced a stirring late rally in Maresca’s first Premier League game in charge, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to grab a 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth yesterday.

Josko Gvardiol placed a finish into the bottom corner in the first minute of added-on time for the winner, which was initially given offside before being awarded following a video review. Marc Guehi had equalised with a 84th-minute header from a corner to start the comeback.

Maresca, the successor to Pep Guardiola, punched the air when Gvardiol’s goal was awarded, and went onto the field after the final whistle to hug his players.

A huge banner, reading “Welcome back Enzo,” had been held aloft by City fans as the Italian – Guardiola’s assistant in City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season – emerged from the tunnel before kickoff.

Wearing a sharp black suit, Maresca certainly looked the part on the touchline but the slickness synonymous with City’s play under Guardiola down the years wasn’t quite there until the late comeback sparked by substitute Rayan Cherki, who set up both goals.

“It is the perfect day, to be honest,” Maresca said. “I was very pleased when the game started to see the banner on the other side. And I was pleased because we give them the joy of the three points.

“It was quite emotional and the perfect day.”

Maresca began his time as Guardiola’s replacement with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend and has had to deal with the departure of star midfielder Rodri to Barcelona.

City might have found a long-term replacement for Rodri in 18-year-old Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is set to join from Lille for 100 million euros (US$117 million) according to French media, but Maresca opted against Bournemouth to deploy Guehi – a centre back – as a holding midfielder instead.

It was a contentious decision, given there were other midfield options on the bench, and it might prove to be a one-off, but Guehi grew into the role.

City striker Erling Haaland wasn’t on the scoresheet in the first league game of the season for the first time since joining the club in 2022. He sported a new hairstyle – a buzz cut that went viral on social media ahead of kickoff – and wasted a couple of great chances to score with it.

LIVERPOOL EQUALISER

Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Liverpool at Newcastle in a match overseen by two new managers.

Szoboszlai smashed an unstoppable spot kick into the top corner after debutant Victor Munoz was fouled in the area in a dramatic finish. There was a 3 1/2-minute wait for a video review of the decision.

Joe Willock looked to have scored a 57th-minute winner for Newcastle, one minute after coming on as a substitute and two minutes after Cody Gakpo had equalised for Liverpool. Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the fifth minute.

Matthias Jaissle was taking charge of Newcastle for first time, while Andoni Iraola is Liverpool’s new manager as Arne Slot’s replacement.

In another match played yesterday, Brighton blanked Aston Villa 4-0.