Bournemouth Shocks Manchester City, Ending 32-Game Unbeaten Run

Manchester City’s impressive 32-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League came to a halt after a 2-1 defeat to a fired-up Bournemouth. This loss not only marked City’s first defeat since December 2023 but also saw them slip to second place in the league standings, trailing Liverpool by two points.

Pep Guardiola acknowledged Bournemouth’s dominance and intensity, which his team struggled to match. “They [Bournemouth] were another pace today, and we could not handle it,” he said. “We had chances at the end, but I congratulate Bournemouth for the victory.”

City’s unbeaten run had been remarkable, featuring 26 wins and six draws, with 80 goals scored and just 26 conceded. This form helped them clinch the Premier League title last season, marking their fourth consecutive league win. Yet, despite this impressive streak, City still lags behind the all-time Premier League records. Arsenal’s legendary 49-game unbeaten run, famously dubbed “The Invincibles,” remains the benchmark, followed by Liverpool’s 44-game streak and Chelsea’s 40-game run.

A Strained Squad Amidst Intense Fixtures

With several key players out, Guardiola faced significant lineup constraints. Only 13 first-team players were fit after their midweek Carabao Cup loss to Tottenham. Key players like Erling Haaland, Ederson, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva featured in the starting lineup, but the bench consisted mostly of academy players. Injuries also impacted City’s defense, with Ruben Dias absent and both Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake playing despite fitness issues.

Kevin de Bruyne, returning to the matchday squad after a long absence, remained on the bench as Guardiola carefully managed his squad’s fitness amid a demanding schedule.

While City’s unbeaten run may have ended, Guardiola’s squad is likely to regroup, especially as key players recover and strengthen their lineup.