Last weekend saw Manchester City do something they’ve never done before.
Not only did they lose their first match of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, but City also got beat by Bournemouth for the first time ever.
Having faced off against the Cherries 17 times in total across all competitions since the 1998/99 season prior to Saturday’s 2-1 defeat, the Blues had won 16 and drawn one of those 17 games.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson helped the South Coast club secure this historic win against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Following this defeat for the champions, one pundit and former Premier League player highlighted a particular tactic the home side utilised in terms of how they set up against one specific City player on the day.
Troy Deeney hails Bournemouth for Erling Haaland tactic
Having named Andoni Iraola as his manager of the week in his latest article for BBC Sport, Deeney highlighted this specific tactic the Bournemouth boss deployed to help see his side beat City.
He said: “Tactically he was excellent. His team were so brave in the way they pressed Manchester City, they left one v one at the back with Erling Haaland – nobody has done that this season.
“They could have been 4-0 up in the first half.”
Haaland’s stats vs Bournemouth
Haaland completed the full 90 minutes against the Cherries, as he has done in all of City’s 10 Premier League games this season.
Against Bournemouth, the striker had 21 touches of the ball in total, registering five shots at goal in total, although only two were on target.
Missing two big chances and hitting the woodwork on one occasion, the Norwegian also gave possession away seven times in total and lost four of the five duels he was involved in.
After the game, Haaland shared a message on social media highlighting how City need to get their heads down and focus on their upcoming games.
Despite Deeney highlighting how Bournemouth didn’t keep more than one player marking the City striker, Micah Richards said Haaland was “smothered” by the opposition when he was getting on the ball.
