Bournemouth vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance10,419.
Saturday 26 August 2017 18:00, UK
Raheem Sterling scored a 97th-minute winner and was then sent off as Manchester City came from behind to overcome a stubborn Bournemouth 2-1 in a dramatic finale at the Vitality Stadium.
The England international, who received a second yellow for his celebration, saw his shot deflect in off Andrew Surman after the initial six minutes of added time had been played to cruelly deny the Cherries their first point of the season.
The drama came just as it seemed the points would be shared after a pulsating clash that saw Charlie Daniels' 13th-minute thunderbolt cancelled out by Gabriel Jesus equaliser.
But Sterling had the final word as Bournemouth were left pointless ahead of a daunting run of fixtures after the international break.
Keen to atone for defeats in their first two games of the season, Bournemouth started with intensity and enthusiasm and got their just rewards as Daniels' notched the Cherries' first Premier League goal against City with an arrowed stunner.
Jermain Defoe nearly scored their second two minutes later, connecting with an Andrew Surman cross, but City stopper Ederson kept his side within reach.
And within three minutes, the visitors were level as David Silva dissected the defence to find Jesus, who poked the ball beyond Asmir Begovic with a first-time finish (21).
Things could have gone from bad to worse for Bournemouth, who were fortunate not to have Nathan Ake sent off for bringing Jesus down, after he pounced as the defender dithered in possession.
City dominated until the interval but the game burst to life on the hour as Josh King rattled the frame of the City goal after connecting with Daniels' cross.
Having both scored in the first period, Nicolas Otamendi ensured both struck the woodwork with a 74th-minute header.
But City breached Begovic for the second time at the death as Sterling found the net, and was given his marching orders before the celebrations on the touchline and in the stands had the chance to subside.
Such was the brilliance of Charlie Daniels' opener, and all-round display, it needed something special to outdo the Cherries full-back - but the brightest of City's stars of the future did just that.
Having been given the nod ahead the visibly unhappy Sergio Aguero, Jesus lead the line with the youthful exuberance Pep Guardiola so carves, while his neat finish laid the foundation for the most dramatic of comebacks.
Eddie Howe: "My message is that I'm proud of them. If we carry on like that, we'll be fine and pick up a lot of points this season. There's no need to panic at this stage."
Pep Guardiola: "We are happy with the victory especially after they scored such an outstanding goal...after Daniels' goal we played quite good - we could've scored one or two goals. We tried to attack against eleven players defending. We tried to play the channels with players running in behind. At the end, we deserved the victory."
Jamie Redknapp: For a referee to send him [Sterling] off for that? Come on man! Show a bit of compassion. It's very hard to restrain yourself - if the referee doesn't book him, do you think anyone will have a problem? The referee can turn a blind eye.
Bournemouth will have to mull over a third Premier League game without victory during the international break, but have two weeks to regroup ahead of their next league game, away to Arsenal on September 9. City, meanwhile, have their sights firmly set on Liverpool's visit to the Etihad on the same day.
