BOURNEMOUTH stunned Manchester City as goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson gave them their first victory over the Premier League champions.
The result ended City’s 32-game unbeaten run in the competition – a record stretching back to 6 December, 2023.
It is also a second defeat in four days for Pep Guardiola’s side following their midweek Carabao Cup exit at Tottenham.
The Cherries, in good form after picking up four points from their past two games against Aston Villa and Arsenal, started quickly and full of positivity.
Ederson was forced into a double save after just two minutes as he denied Semenyo and Justin Kluivert.
With the tone set, Bournemouth continued to press high and they were rewarded in the ninth minute when Milos Kerkez’s cut-back from the byeline was turned in by Semenyo.
City failed to muster an attempt on target during a largely frustrating first half.
Bournemouth came out for the second period full of confidence and were close to doubling their lead in the first minute, but Ederson was sharply off his line to keep Evanilson’s effort out.
Evanilson made sure with his next opportunity, though, sliding to meet Kerkez’s low ball and nestling it into the bottom corner.
The hosts should have made it three moments later but Adam Smith, presented with an open goal, blazed over the bar after Marcus Tavernier’s shot came back off the post.
City finally registered an attempt on target in the 80th minute, albeit a tame one, with Erling Haaland struggling to get any power on his volley.
And two minutes later, Josko Gvardiol headed beyond a despairing Mark Travers to offer hope but the Premier League champions were unable to grab an equaliser.
Deep into additional time, Haaland thought he had snatched a point but his close- range shot was saved on the line before his rebound stuck the post.
The defeat means City slip to second after Liverpool came-from-behind to beat Brighton, while Bournemouth climb up to eighth.
