Manchester City Begin New Season Against Bournemouth as Savinho Nears Tottenham Exit
Manchester City opened their 2026-27 Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on 23 August, but the team sheet told two stories — one about who was on the pitch, and one about who was not.
Savinho was absent from City's matchday squad entirely, left out as he closes in on a transfer to Tottenham. Omar Marmoush, named among the substitutes, could be heading in the same direction. According to The Guardian, Tottenham are pursuing the pair for a combined £160 million — Savinho at £85m, Marmoush at £75m. For City, starting a season with two attackers potentially on their way out is a conspicuous wrinkle.
The match, broadcast live on Sky Sports, kicked off at 2pm BST at the Etihad Stadium. City's starting line-up featured Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, a back five of Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias (captain), Marc Guéhi, Joško Gvardiol and Rico Lewis, a midfield of Elliot Anderson and Nico O'Reilly, and a front three of Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. Bournemouth, under head coach Marco Rose, lined up with Đorđe Petrović; Adrien Truffert, James Hill, António Silva, Adam Smith (captain); Lewis Cook, Alex Scott, Marcus Tavernier; Justin Kluivert, Rayan and Evanilson.
These two clubs have history, and recent history at that. Their last meeting, on 19 May 2026, ended 1-1 — a result that extinguished City's title hopes and confirmed Arsenal as Premier League champions. City finished the 2025-26 season as runners-up on 78 points, four behind Arsenal, with a record of 23 wins, nine draws and six defeats. Bournemouth, meanwhile, ended that campaign sixth on 56 points, unbeaten in their final 17 league matches, having secured European qualification. (Reuters; NJ.com)
The broader opening-weekend picture added texture. Arsenal, defending the title they won on the back of that May draw at the Vitality Stadium, began with a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City. The day before City kicked off, Brentford beat Tottenham 3-0, Hull City beat Manchester United 2-0, Ipswich Town edged Sunderland 2-1, Everton saw off Crystal Palace 2-0, and Nottingham Forest beat Leeds United 1-0. (The Guardian)
City's home record against Bournemouth offers cold comfort to the visitors. In nine Premier League meetings at the Etihad, City have won all nine, outscoring Bournemouth 34-6 in the process. (manchestercity.com)
What gives this fixture its edge is the contrast in trajectories. City, who finished second last season, are chasing down Arsenal from the opening whistle. Bournemouth, under Rose, arrive with European credentials and a 17-game unbeaten run to defend. The Etihad has not been kind to them historically, but this is a different Bournemouth side from the one that simply tried to survive.
For supporters, the subplot is just as compelling. Two City attackers could be wearing Tottenham colours by the time the window shuts. The combined £160m fee, if completed, would reshape City's attacking options and hand Tottenham a statement of intent. Whether that business is done before or after the window closes remains to play for.
