Marc Guehi scored the equaliser and impressed in an unfamiliar midfield role as Manchester City came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Etihad on Sunday. The England international, normally a centre-back, was a surprise pick in central midfield alongside summer signing Elliot Anderson in the first Premier League game of the season.
Bournemouth took the lead in the 26th minute through Marcus Tavernier, and it looked as though Enzo Maresca's gamble might backfire. But Guehi headed home in the 84th minute to level, and Josko Gvardiol scored a brilliant winner in injury time to secure all three points.
Guehi explains his enjoyment of new role
Speaking to the BBC after the match, Guehi said he relished the more advanced role. 'I enjoyed it today,' he said. 'Simply because I had so much help from every single person, and so much support from the team, and when you have that, you feel comfortable to just go out, play, and do what you can for the team.'
Maresca had both Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic on the bench against Bournemouth, but explained why he chose Guehi alongside Anderson. 'In this moment it's a matter of finding a solution,' he told a post-match press conference. 'I know Marc from [Crystal] Palace and always thought he could play midfielder because he's very good.'
Maresca explains tactical experiment
The City boss revealed that the experiment had been tried in training during the week. 'Sometimes you visualise, we tried in the first two days in the week after the Arsenal game as a central defender stepping [up], and then tried in the last two days as a proper midfielder. And I think it was quite a good performance from him.'
'Now the good thing is now he gives us solutions for the future,' Maresca added.
Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is expected to arrive from Lille, which could mean Guehi's venture into midfield is short-lived. However, Maresca would not comment on the deal for the 18-year-old, saying: 'To be honest, I didn't see no one from the club. So after the press conference, I will see them. So please wait, because I don't know if there are any updates at the moment. So probably you're more updated than me.'
City return to action at Crystal Palace
Manchester City are back in action on Friday night at Crystal Palace, and Maresca will be tempted to make changes to his starting XI. Rayan Cherki came on for the final half hour and provided the assists for both Guehi and Gvardiol's goals. Phil Foden started in the no.10 role but his place could be under threat from the Frenchman.
Elliot Anderson limped out of the game in the second half, but Maresca suggested that he would be fit for the trip to Selhurst Park. 'I think it was cramp,' said Maresca of the England midfielder. 'We still have four or five players that are not 100 per cent and he is one of them.'
