🔥🏟️Pep Guardiola has ordered Manchester City flop to leave the club immediately after having fewer touches than the goalkeeper and repeatedly losing possession to opponents.”

Bournemouth fans had every reason to be overjoyed after witnessing their team defeat the reigning Premier League champions, a feat typically not associated with Manchester City being on the receiving end. Andoni Iraola’s side made a compelling statement with their performance. This match marked City’s first league defeat of the season and highlighted their recent struggles. Following a midweek cup loss to Tottenham, which shattered their unbeaten run, this league loss served as further evidence of Manchester City’s current challenges. Despite Arsenal’s earlier defeat to Newcastle, any assumptions that the title race was over were quickly dismissed as City fell 2-1 to Bournemouth, with their only goal coming as a late consolation by Josko Gvardiol.

City’s performance was marked by uncharacteristic sluggishness and disorganization, leading to Guardiola’s evident frustration on the touchline. While the home team did not necessarily display superior technical ability, they compensated with sheer effort and determination—a quality that is not often lacking in a Guardiola-led side. The display of dissatisfaction from City’s manager hinted at deeper issues, particularly with injuries plaguing the squad. Guardiola has repeatedly expressed concern over an injury list that continues to grow, with players such as Jeremy Doku, Kyle Walker, and Kevin De Bruyne recently returning, but others like John Stones and Ruben Dias now sidelined.

Guardiola has emphasized that players need to push through their physical issues to perform. The data supports how heavily utilized his squad has been, with players averaging over 60 games per season since 2018. Even so, some key figures like Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, and Ederson featured in the starting lineup at Bournemouth, indicating that injury struggles were not entirely new territory for the team. Yet, these challenges have made it difficult for City to find their rhythm, especially against a Bournemouth team already high on confidence after earlier victories over strong opponents like Arsenal. Iraola’s leadership has evidently lifted Bournemouth’s level, which was apparent as they capitalized on early chances.

The first goal came after Ederson’s double save was followed by Milos Kerkez outpacing Foden, allowing Antoine Semenyo to outmuscle Gvardiol and find the far corner. City, though experienced in coming from behind, appeared a step behind Bournemouth’s pace and couldn’t use their past resilience to rally effectively. Unlike their usual ability to patiently break down opposing defenses, City found themselves vulnerable, with their offensive setups being swiftly countered by Bournemouth’s direct play.

City’s frustrations were further illustrated when Kyle Walker, having lost the ball and committed a foul on Semenyo, angrily punched the ball away. Substitutions, including the introduction of Rico Lewis for the injured Nathan Ake, did little to turn the tide. Bournemouth doubled their lead in the second half when Evanilson connected with a cross from Kerkez, deepening City’s woes.

Despite a late surge that included Gvardiol’s powerful header during injury time, which briefly reignited hope, City lacked the energy to mount a full comeback. Bournemouth’s fans enjoyed a moment of celebration that continued to resonate throughout the stadium. For City, this game showcased a mix of defensive lapses, misfortune, and the reality of fatigue in a small squad. Guardiola’s side, often known for its relentless excellence, faced a rare day when resilience alone was not enough to mask the gaps exposed by injuries and a relentless schedule.