First Week Drama of the English Premier League: Man City Secures Victory, Liverpool Stages Comeback Against Newcastle

Both Manchester City and Liverpool played out highly dramatic matches on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 English Premier League season. The Citizens secured victory against Bournemouth, while Liverpool had to settle for a single point on their visit to Newcastle United's home ground.

Manchester City claimed a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 23 August 2026 WIB evening. The visiting side had taken the lead first through Marcus Tavernier, before Marc Guehi levelled the score.

With the match appearing set to end in a draw, Josko Gvardiol emerged as Manchester City's hero. The Croatian defender scored during stoppage time to seal all three points for the hosts.

This result moves Manchester City into 6th place in the provisional league table with three points. Bournemouth sit in 13th position, as published on the official English Premier League website.

Manchester City Stage Comeback

Manchester City dominated ball possession right from kick-off. However, this control initially failed to produce many clear goalscoring opportunities in front of Bournemouth's goal.

By contrast, Bournemouth looked clinical whenever they won possession to attack. In the 27th minute, Marcus Tavernier successfully opened the scoring for the away side.

The goal originated from a counter attacking move. Evanilson played a pulled cutback cross from the right flank, which Tavernier met with a neat finish to put Bournemouth 1-0 ahead.

Manchester City then increased their pressing pressure. Erling Haaland had a headed chance, but Bournemouth goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic was able to make the save.

After the half time break, the home side ramped up their attacking intensity. The Citizens broke into Bournemouth's penalty area on multiple occasions, but could not find the finishing touch to score.

Haaland had another opportunity in the 75th minute after receiving a cutback pass from Marc Guehi, but his shot was directed straight at Petrovic.

City's sustained pressure finally paid off in the 84th minute. Guehi attacked a corner kick, won the aerial duel and headed home the equalising goal.

With the score now 1-1, the match became even more fiercely contested.

As the fixture entered stoppage time, Manchester City got their decisive moment. Gvardiol found a gap in Bournemouth's defensive line to fire home The Citizens' second goal.

This strike made the score 2-1, confirming Manchester City's victory on the opening matchday of the season.

Bournemouth were unable to find an equaliser before the final whistle, as City secured three points with a dramatic late comeback at the Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool Rescue Point In The Closing Minutes

In the other fixture, Liverpool had to battle hard to avoid defeat during their away trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle United, also on Sunday 23 August 2026.

The match ended 2-2. Newcastle twice took the lead through Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock, only for Liverpool to hit back on both occasions with goals from Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.

This single point leaves both Newcastle and Liverpool on one point, placed 9th in the provisional league standings according to official Premier League data.

Newcastle took the attacking initiative immediately from kick-off. Just five minutes after the match began, Elanga put The Magpies in front.

Elanga beat the offside trap running onto a through ball from Osula, before firing a low driven shot that Alisson could not stop. Newcastle led 1-0.

Liverpool pushed to raise pressure in search of an equaliser. Florian Wirtz created an opportunity in the 17th minute, but his shot was saved by Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Hornicek.

The home side continued to threaten with counter attacks, and held their 1-0 lead until the end of the first half.

Liverpool played with far greater aggression after the half time break. They got their reward in the 55th minute when Cody Gakpo levelled the scores.

Gakpo unleashed a powerful low strike from outside the penalty area, which flew into Newcastle's net to make the score 1-1.

This parity only lasted two minutes however. Joe Willock restored Newcastle's lead with a shot from the edge of the penalty area that found the bottom left corner of Liverpool's goal.

With The Magpies once again ahead 2-1, the match opened up. Liverpool continued to search for gaps, while Newcastle looked to exploit space on the counter attack.

In the 85th minute, Newcastle almost extended their lead. Yoane Wissa broke through one on one against Alisson, but his shot struck the Liverpool goalkeeper's outstretched leg.

Liverpool kept attacking right until the final moments of the match. Their persistence paid off when the referee awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, for a foul committed against Victor Munoz inside the penalty area.

Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up as the penalty taker. The Hungarian midfielder converted the kick perfectly, placing the ball into Newcastle's net to level the score once again at 2-2.

No further goals were scored before the full time whistle. Liverpool avoided defeat and left St James' Park with one point, having fought back from a losing position twice during the match.