All good things must come to an end, and for Manchester City, that end arrived in a disappointing manner. The club’s remarkable 32-game unbeaten run in the Premier League was brought to a halt by a 2-1 loss to an in-form Bournemouth side at the Vitality Stadium. This stunning defeat not only marks the end of a historic streak but also sees City slip to second place in the Premier League, now trailing league leaders Liverpool by two points.
Reflecting on the match, City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the difficulties his team faced. “They [Bournemouth] were another pace today and we could not handle it,” he said. His assessment was clear: City struggled to match the intensity and rhythm set by their opponents. “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’s tenure at Manchester City has been marked by unprecedented success since his appointment in 2016. Over the course of 488 games, he has led the team to 360 victories, with 60 draws and 68 losses. However, this latest defeat serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, even for one of the most dominant teams in recent history.
Prior to Saturday’s encounter with Bournemouth, Manchester City’s last loss came against Aston Villa on December 6, 2023. During their impressive unbeaten run, the team accumulated 26 wins and six draws, netting an astounding 80 goals while conceding just 26. This stellar performance helped City amass 84 points, ultimately allowing them to clinch the Premier League title for a third consecutive season.
In stark contrast, the teams competing with City during this stretch, particularly Arsenal and Liverpool, struggled to keep pace. Arsenal, who finished second last season, endured five losses during City’s unbeaten streak, scoring five fewer goals and earning only 71 points. Liverpool, while strong, managed just one point fewer than Arsenal with a record of 21 wins, seven draws, and four losses.
When asked about the significance of the unbeaten run, Guardiola expressed pride in the achievement. “We would like to keep defending it, but how many games and months we did it… it’s great,” he told Sky Sports. His acknowledgment of the team’s efforts highlights the intensity of competition in the Premier League, where consistency is both essential and challenging.
While City’s form over the last 11 months has been impressive, it still pales in comparison to the all-time Premier League record for unbeaten runs. As it stands, Manchester City’s streak ranks fourth in the history of the league since its inception in 1992-93. Arsenal holds the record for the longest unbeaten run, an incredible 49 games spanning from May 2003 to October 2004, during which they famously completed the 2003-04 season without a single loss, earning them the nickname “The Invincibles.” Liverpool follows closely with a 44-game unbeaten stretch from January 2019 to February 2020, while Chelsea’s impressive run of 40 matches without defeat from October 2004 to October 2005 rounds out the top three.
In light of their recent struggles, Guardiola’s squad has been stretched thin due to injuries and fatigue. After a taxing Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham earlier in the week, he remarked that he had only 13 fit players available for the match against Bournemouth. Despite this, he fielded a strong starting eleven, featuring key players such as Erling Haaland, Ederson, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva. However, the bench lacked depth, with young players Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Jacob Wright, James McAtee, and Nico O’Reilly called upon to fill the gaps.
Guardiola’s tactical decisions were influenced by the limited options at his disposal, resulting in only two substitutions during the match. Defender Ruben Dias was notably absent due to an injury sustained in the prior match against Spurs, while Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake were both included in the lineup despite carrying their own injuries. Full-back Kyle Walker made his first start since September 28, highlighting the team’s ongoing injury crisis.
“Ruben [Dias] will be out until the international break,” Guardiola confirmed. He commended the efforts of Akanji, Ake, and Walker, stating, “They made an incredible effort to be here in a demanding game.” The challenges faced by City illustrate the physical toll of a grueling season, particularly for a team accustomed to competing at the highest levels.
Kevin De Bruyne, a pivotal figure for City, was named on the matchday squad for the first time since September 18 but remained an unused substitute. His return to fitness could provide a much-needed boost for Guardiola’s side as they look to recover from this setback and return to winning ways.
As Manchester City reflects on the end of their unbeaten streak, the focus will now shift to regrouping and addressing the issues that contributed to the loss. With the Premier League title race heating up, every match will carry significant weight. Guardiola and his players will need to channel their resilience and determination as they aim to reclaim their place at the top of the table and build upon their impressive legacy.