Bournemouth Ends Man City Unbeaten Run As Liverpool Returns To Table Top

Manchester City recorded their first defeat in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign following a woeful defeat to  Bournemouth in their clash on Saturday.

Naija News reports that the Premier League champions saw their 32-game unbeaten run in 2024 end at the Vitality Stadium with 2-1 against the host team.

Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring board nine minutes into the first half of the game.

Again, Evanilson saw the back of the net to put the host team in the lead in the second half of the game.

Although Josko Gvardiol pulled one back for Manchester City, his goal was merely a consolation for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Addressing journalists after the game, Guardiola said: “We knew we couldn’t match the intensity. We have talked about it. It was an open game. We had chances at the end but I congratulate Bournemouth for the victory.

“The 50-50 balls in the middle, the duels, they play this type of game. They are so aggressive. They had six to seven days to prepare. They have physicality and speed, but you have to win these types of situations. And they had chances.”

“Ederson made a good save. We had real good moments at the start of the second half and after that, it was difficult to swallow as we were good. After we scored we had momentum and chances but couldn’t score [again],” Guardiola told BBC.

Liverpool Back To Table Top After Beating Brighton

Liverpool returned to the Premier League table top on Saturday after staging a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over Brighton.

Thanks to a spectacular goal from Mohamed Salah at Anfield on Saturday.

Naija News reports that the Reds trailed at halftime due to a well-placed strike from Ferdi Kadioglu.

However, two rapid goals from Cody Gakpo and Salah capitalized on Brighton’s failure to convert their first-half dominance into a more substantial lead.

Under the management of Arne Slot, this marked Liverpool’s 13th win in 15 matches, placing them two points ahead of Manchester City, who suffered a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth.

Both teams made significant changes from their League Cup encounter earlier in the week, which Liverpool narrowly won 3-2. Despite the return of several key players, including Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Brighton controlled the first half and could have extended their lead before the interval.

Liverpool’s best opportunity in the opening 45 minutes came when Darwin Nunez surged from his own half into the Brighton penalty area, only to have his shot expertly saved by Bart Verbruggen.

Kadioglu broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with a powerful right-footed shot that struck the inside of the post. Although Liverpool was without their first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker due to injury, his replacement, Caoimhin Kelleher, made a crucial save to deny Brighton a second goal.

A remarkable pass from Jack Hinshelwood penetrated the Liverpool defence, enabling Georginio Rutter to evade Virgil van Dijk; however, he failed to score against Kelleher.

Kadioglu also squandered a crucial chance to increase the lead, while a free-kick taken by Danny Welbeck hit the side-netting.

At halftime, Liverpool was compelled to make a substitution as Ibrahima Konate left the field with his arm in a sling, making way for Joe Gomez.

The England international had the opportunity to make an immediate impact but directed his header straight at Verbruggen while unmarked from a free-kick.

Slot’s halftime address proved effective, as Liverpool emerged in the second half as a revitalized team.

Alexis Mac Allister’s header was deflected behind at the near post by Verbruggen, and Van Dijk failed to connect with a cross from Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool Comeback

Brighton had managed to contain Salah for an hour, but the Egyptian had a chance to capitalize on a flick from Nunez, only to be thwarted by Verbruggen in a one-on-one situation.

The home side required a stroke of luck to initiate their comeback, as Gakpo’s attempted cross unexpectedly found its way into the far corner without any deflection.

With Anfield erupting in celebration, it took merely three minutes for Slot’s team to secure the winning goal.

Following a misfired shot from Rutter, Liverpool countered swiftly, with Curtis Jones locating Salah, who cut inside onto his favoured left foot and struck into the top corner.

Brighton pressed the home side back during a tense conclusion, but Liverpool managed to secure a crucial three points on a day when title contenders City and Arsenal, who lost 1-0 to Newcastle, both faltered.