⚽️🗞 “Pep Guardiola Demands Immediate Exit for Manchester City Flop After Poor Performance, Including Fewer Touches Than the Goalkeeper and Costly Mistakes.”

Bournemouth supporters could hardly contain their joy after their team managed a remarkable victory against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. It’s not often that Pep Guardiola’s side becomes the subject of such celebrations, but Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth earned every bit of their moment in the spotlight. However, this victory also served as a stark indicator of City’s struggles this season.

Manchester City suffered their first league defeat of the season, following a midweek exit from the cup at the hands of Tottenham. The 2-1 loss to Bournemouth, with Josko Gvardiol scoring a late consolation goal, was a jolt for the champions. For those who believed the title race was effectively over after Arsenal’s earlier defeat to Newcastle, City’s performance suggested otherwise. Despite their loss, it wasn’t that Bournemouth wanted the win more, but they worked harder for it—a rare characteristic to see overshadowing a Guardiola-led team. City’s display was lackluster, and the result reflected their performance. Guardiola’s frustration was visible on the sidelines, but even he seemed measured in expressing his dissatisfaction with his team’s ongoing struggles.

One of City’s biggest issues this season has been their mounting injury list. Guardiola has voiced his exasperation over the situation, emphasizing that his players must perform despite the challenges. For the Bournemouth clash, Jeremy Doku, Kyle Walker, and Kevin De Bruyne returned to the squad, but key players like John Stones and Ruben Dias were added to the list of absentees. While injuries have undoubtedly hindered the team, City’s small squad—a deliberate choice by Guardiola—has exacerbated the issue. Since 2018, City players have averaged over 60 games a season, a grueling schedule that has taken its toll. Four of City’s core players—Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, and Ederson—started against Bournemouth, but the squad’s depth remains stretched thin.

The game itself was a testament to Bournemouth’s growth under Iraola, who has lifted the team’s performance to new heights. Milos Kerkez set the tone early, breezing past Foden and delivering the ball to Antoine Semenyo, who outmuscled Gvardiol before slotting it into the far corner. City, often adept at recovering from deficits, struggled to find their rhythm. While they managed brief moments of control, their efforts were frequently undone by Bournemouth’s quick counters.

Evanilson doubled Bournemouth’s lead in the second half, heading in a cross from Kerkez. Though Gvardiol scored a stunning header late in injury time to reduce the deficit, City lacked the energy to mount a meaningful comeback. The final whistle cemented a well-deserved victory for Bournemouth and left Guardiola’s City with much to ponder.