Bournemouth 2-1 Manchester City Review

Premier League GW10

There have been some signs of struggle across the last few matches and the number of injuries came at the wrong time for Manchester City when they traveled to face Bournemouth. One of the most organized and aggressive teams for pressing high up the pitch, with the quality in transition and duel winners capable of cutting through them to win.

MOTM: Josko Gvardiol

Notable Stats:

• No other Premier League player made more passes into the box than Phil Foden (14) during gameweek 10.

• No other Premier League player completed more successful take-ons than Antoine Semenyo (6) during gameweek 10.

• Top three Premier League players for most sprints this season:
  Anthony Gordon - 218
  Antonee Robinson - 200
  Antoine Semenyo - 200

• No other Premier League player created more chances than Matheus Nunes (5) during gameweek 10.

Game Stats:

Bournemouth 2-1 Man City

• xG: 2.28 - 2.29

• xThreat: 1.13 - 1.94

• Possession: 35.4% - 64.6%

• Field Tilt: 24.7% - 75.3%

• Penalty Box Shots: 9 - 13

• Deep Entries: 13 - 27

• PPDA: 13.2 - 8.8

• High Turnovers: 3 - 4

• 10+ Pass Sequences: 10 - 21

Here is the updated graphic for the underlying numbers compared to last season after those two losses. Creating more than enough xG but not taking those chances. Conceding two goals and plenty of chances in both losses.

If you want to keep track of individual player minutes, check out the Google spreadsheet below, updated after every match. Which players have already crossed 1,000 minutes, which players are due a rest after starting several matches in a row, and whose minutes (% of games) have increased compared to last season?

Last season Matheus Nunes completed a full 90 minutes seven times, this season he’s already completed five.

The obvious concern with the starting lineup was twofold for me. The inclusion of both Kovacic and Gundogan in midfield together, which out of possession leaves a lot to be desired, and starting players that are not sharp yet in Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake. Especially against Bournemouth. In the first half, we saw that right away with Nathan Ake caught on the ball by Semenyo and Bournemouth attacked. Mateo Kovacic struggled without any time on the ball. Kyle Walker looked uncomfortable playing out from the back, even simple back passes looked like an opportunity for Bournemouth to press.

To the credit of Bournemouth, that’s something they did incredibly well from the start. Not allow any City players to turn on the ball and once they pass back, chase the pressure from behind. Forcing them out of their half and back to Ederson.

In the first half, Bournemouth were able to press and successfully force turnovers, often finding City players in positions where they could beat them in the duel. Intercepting passes into Walker before they arrive.

Compact in midfield, they were man-to-man against Man City and had the players up top in Semenyo, Kluivert, and Tavernier capable of covering the distance to apply pressure. Had their wingers press the ball-side FB and wanted to force City wide so they could then hunt down the ball in packs.

1-0 Semenyo (9’)

An attempt for City to play from the back into Haaland is turned over, worked to Milos Kerkez on their left side and he beats Phil Foden to the byline. He provides a low cross into the box and after a brilliant touch from Semenyo, they open the scoring. It’s not ideal that Foden is left to defend Kerkez, without support and is beaten but it all starts from the turnover. The constant pressure from Bournemouth minute one.

In the second half, Bournemouth switched their press whilst Manchester City had moved Phil Foden into midfield, Nunes became almost like a second striker, playing through the middle. Kerkez was left to press Walker and Bournemouth was happy to leave him with time and space on the ball. Not the ideal spare man but City did have their overload in midfield at times. Bernardo would also move across to help free up Gvardiol, Rico Lewis the same when he came on in the second half.

2-0 Evanilson (64’)

The second goal from Bournemouth is a long ball into Semenyo who can get it, turn, and drive forward under no pressure at all. Walker has to cover Kerkez's run out wide and nobody in midfield can support until Akanji steps out. Which was the perfect time for Semenyo to play the pass through, Evanilson crossed his run to lose Ake caught watching the ball, and scored. Frustrating goal for Manchester City to concede and efficient work from Bournemouth in transition.

2-1 Gvardiol (82‘)

After the second Bournemouth goal, we saw a step up from Manchester City in the final third to create chances. Bearing in mind Bournemouth is happy to defend in their block with the two-goal lead. The corner routine played short and worked to Ilkay Gundogan who crosses to Josko Gvardiol. Great header into the top corner get’s the team back in contention.

They continued to create more chances throughout the second half, cutting back a chance for Foden after Nunes beat his man 1v1 to get into the box. The introduction of Jeremy Doku down the left side helped, getting inside the box for a near-post shot that’s saved. Along with Rico Lewis, opening up more space to find Phil Foden for a shot on the edge of the box.

The issue was always that this step up in performance came too late for them to properly get back on top, the damage had been done by Bournemouth through their brave and aggressive pressing for the first 60 - 70 minutes.

A reminder that despite where Manchester City struggled in this match, that’s how close they came to equalizing and still picking up a point. Haaland has his header saved on the line and then hits the post with his follow-up.

Moving Forward

Looking forward, off the back of Manchester City losing two matches in a row they must get rid of the losing run against Sporting before facing Brighton. Both are tough away matches but it will be a lot harder to face Brighton after another loss midweek.

Matheus Nunes is still 2nd for most G+A in the squad across all competitions, on quite the run of minutes lately and bringing not only goal contributions but physical qualities the team lacks.

Liverpool moved into 1st in the Premier League after City dropped points, only two points ahead after ten matches so far too early to read into it. Although it’s quite clear that the race for the top four will be very close throughout the season.

Even with the injury situation, I think it’s time to see some changes from Guardiola within the team, for the composition of the midfield whether that’s other players or someone from the academy, I discussed all of that with Ahsan and Jon on the latest episode of The Hub podcast linked below.

I think that Matheus Nunes has put himself in a position these last few games, with our weakness in midfield, where he needs to be in the starting lineup. Against Sporting CP we will get an idea of what Guardiola thought about the match against Bournemouth, whether he makes any significant changes or not. For me at least, Kovacic/Gundogan can do a decent job for the team as a number six, depending on the opposition. But the midfield balance right now is leaving the door open for teams without the physical qualities our younger players can provide. That means Foden starting as an attacking midfielder not as a winger, Matheus Nunes being used in midfield and possibly looking at the likes of Nico O’Reilly and Jacob Wright. At least to January, it’s worth taking the risk.

Next up for Manchester City is Sporting CP, on 5th November. A preview of the match will be released tomorrow morning.

LAST WORD👋

How am I doing?

I’d love to hear more from readers and I’m always looking for feedback. How am I doing with Sky Blue Times? Is there anything you’d like to see more or less of? Which aspects of the newsletter and our content do you enjoy the most?

Hit the reply and say hello - I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you,

Bailey