We couldn’t handle Bournemouth
‘We couldn’t handle Bournemouth’ – how Man City’s unbeaten run ended
Manchester City’s 32-game unbeaten Premier League is over after a lacklustre performance led to a 2-1 loss at in-form Bournemouth.
That incredible run was a club record without tasting defeat.
Saturday’s loss also means City have dropped to second in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by two points.
“They [Bournemouth] were another pace today and we could not handle it,” 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.”
Guardiola has overseen 488 games since being appointed as City manager in 2016, winning 360, drawing 60 and losing 68.
Prior to Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, City’s last loss came at Aston Villa on 6 December 2023.
During that run they picked up 26 victories and six draws, scoring an impressive 80 goals and conceding just 26.
They amassed 84 points and went on to end 2023-24 with the Premier League title winning.
The top flight for a third successive season.
Arsenal, who finished second last term, were the next best performing team during City’s unbeaten streak.
However, the Gunners lost five times during that period, scored five fewer goals and collected just 71 points.
Liverpool were the third-best performing team, collecting one fewer point than Arsenal as they won 21.
Drew seven and lost four.
“We would like to keep defending it but how many games and months we did it… it’s great.
Guardiola told Sky Sports when asked about going almost a year without losing.
As impressive as City’s form has been over the last 11 months.
They remain way off the all-time Premier League record.
Indeed, City are fourth when it comes to longest unbeaten runs since the inception of the Premier League in 1992-93.
Arsenal are top of the pile after enjoying a 49-game stretch without losing between May 2003 and October 2004. .
Spanning across three seasons.
The Gunners went through the 2003-04 campaign without losing, becoming the only club to achieve that feat.
And earning the nickname “The Invincibles”.
Liverpool rank second on that list with a 44-game unbeaten run between January 2019 and February 2020.
While Chelsea avoided defeat for 40 matches from October 2004 through to October 2005.
‘Players are not in the best way’
Guardiola claimed he had just 13 fit players after Wednesday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Tottenham.
The Spaniard named a strong starting eleven for the trip to Bournemouth.
With Erling Haaland, Ederson, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernado Silva all selected.
The bench, however, did look weak respectively with youngsters Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Jacob Wright, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly called in.
Guardiola only made two substitutions at Vitality Stadium due to the lack of options available.
Defender Ruben Dias, who limped out of the game at Spurs, was not in the matchday squad, although Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake did feature from the start, despite carry injuries.
Full-back Kyle Walker made his first start for the club since September 28.
“Ruben [Dias] will be out until the international break,” said Guardiola.
“Manu [Akanji] and Nathan [Ake] made an incredible effort to be there in a demanding game, Kyle [Walker] as well, 18 or 19 days without one training session.
“They are players that are not in the best way and they made an incredible effort to be here.”
Kevin de Bruyne was an unused substitute after being named in the matchday squad for the first time since 18 September.
Although Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji started the game despite carry ailments, defender Ruben Dias, who hobbled out of the play against Spurs, was not included in the matchday squad.
Full-back For the first time since September 28, Kyle Walker started for the team.
According to Guardiola, “Ruben [Dias] will be out until the international break,”
“Manu [Akanji] and Nathan [Ake] worked incredibly hard to support Kyle [Walker] during a challenging game, going 18 or 19 days without attending a single training session.
“They put forth a tremendous amount of work to be here, but they are not the top players.”
After being included in the matchday squad for the first time since September 18, Kevin de Bruyne was not utilized as a substitute.
