Maresca's City Edge Bournemouth, Szoboszlai Rescues Liverpool, Brighton Thrash Villa

Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City era began with chaos, nerves and, in the end, a roar of relief.

Deep into stoppage time at the Etihad, with questions already circling about life after Pep Guardiola, Josko Gvardiol swept home a 2-1 winner against Bournemouth that turned an anxious opening night into a dramatic escape.

It was harsh on Bournemouth, who had led from the first half through Marcus Tavernier and kept City at arm’s length for long spells. It was also a reminder that, for all the tactical diagrams and long-term plans, sometimes a season starts with a substitution and a scramble.

Cherki turns the game, City cling on

City trudged into this campaign on the back of a flat 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, and for much of their league opener the same problems were on show. The champions looked blunt in attack, uncertain at the back, and short of rhythm after a disrupted pre-season.

Tavernier’s opener only sharpened the tension. Bournemouth were organised, aggressive and happy to watch City pass in front of them without much penetration.

Maresca rolled the dice.

On came Rayan Cherki, and the game tilted. The French playmaker injected the urgency and imagination City had been missing, threading passes into spaces Bournemouth had previously closed.

His impact was instant and decisive. With six minutes left, Cherki delivered the cross that Marc Guehi met with a firm header to level the scores. The Etihad, quiet and restless for long stretches, finally woke up.

City surged. Bournemouth, so composed for so long, suddenly retreated.

Then, in stoppage time, Cherki again found the gap, City again flooded the box, and Gvardiol arrived to stroke in the winner. From staring at an opening-day defeat to celebrating a late turnaround, Maresca’s first league game in charge ended with the kind of breathless finale that once framed Guardiola’s own debut home win against Sunderland in 2016.

“The impact was unbelievable, he is that kind of player,” Maresca said of Cherki, while stressing the balance he is trying to find with several players returning late from holidays. The performance was uneven. The result, though, buys him time and a little belief that his own reign might yet echo the success of the last decade.

Szoboszlai saves Iraola at the death

Up at St James’ Park, another new era began with a different kind of drama.

Andoni Iraola, now the face of Liverpool’s sweeping rebuild after Arne Slot’s sacking, Mohamed Salah’s departure to Trabzonspor and the arrival of a Jeff Bezos-fronted consortium, watched his side stumble and then claw their way to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.

Liverpool’s defensive frailties, so costly under Slot, were on display again. Newcastle struck first through Anthony Elanga in the opening half, exploiting gaps that have become all too familiar for the Reds.

Cody Gakpo dragged Liverpool back into it soon after the break, finishing off a move that briefly suggested Iraola’s side might settle and control the contest. Instead, the game swung again.

Joe Willock, without a Premier League goal since 2024, restored Newcastle’s lead and reignited St James’ Park. Liverpool wobbled. Iraola paced the touchline, his debut threatening to end in defeat.

Then came the final twist.

Deep into stoppage time, Victor Munoz went down under a challenge from Lewis Hall. The referee pointed to the spot. New Newcastle manager Matthais Jaissle branded it “a very soft penalty”, but the decision stood.

Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up with the last kick of the game and buried it. 2-2. A point snatched from the brink.

“It’s the result you want, scoring in the last minute. I value that the players never gave up,” Iraola said afterwards, while admitting his frustration at Liverpool’s wastefulness and lack of cutting edge in the first half. They had possession and promising positions, but too often failed to pull the trigger and were punished on the counter.

It was a messy, uneasy start, yet also a glimpse of resilience. For Iraola, the question now is whether this late rescue becomes a launchpad or a warning.

Brighton rip apart weakened Villa

On the south coast, there was no need for late drama. Brighton settled their contest with Aston Villa long before half-time and kept going.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side dismantled the Europa League winners 4-0 at the Amex Stadium, ruthlessly exploiting a Villa squad stripped of key figures and, crucially, a recognised striker.

With Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez missing amid reports they could follow Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Morgan Rogers out of the club, Unai Emery arrived with a patched-up side that never looked ready for what followed.

Victor Lindelof’s own goal set the tone, a calamitous moment that handed Brighton control. Maxim De Cuyper then pounced from close range to double the lead, and Villa’s resistance crumbled.

Jack Hinshelwood took full advantage. In the space of two minutes, the youngster struck twice, his quickfire brace turning a comfortable lead into a rout and leaving Emery’s players shell-shocked.

The misery deepened just before the interval when Joao Gomes, on his Premier League debut, was sent off. Any faint hope of a second-half revival vanished with him.

Brighton cruised. Villa, drained by exits and uncertainty, could only endure.

On a day defined by new beginnings, Maresca clung to three points, Iraola clung to one, and Emery was left clinging to answers. How long can a club sell its stars and still pretend nothing has changed?