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Manchester City staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League game in charge.

Josko Gvardiol struck the winner in stoppage time at the Etihad Stadium after Marc Guehi had cancelled out Marcus Tavernier’s first-half opener with a header in the 84th minute.

The result brought relief for Maresca in his first home match since taking over from Pep Guardiola.

Gvardiol’s late goal, awarded after a VAR review, came as a major moment of relief.

His last-gasp finish was first disallowed for offside, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check, sparking huge celebrations on the touchline.

Until that point, Maresca had appeared set to be outmanoeuvred by fellow new Bournemouth manager Marco Rose.

Even so, Maresca will feel his side deserved the victory after creating several chances, with Erling Haaland — showing off a new close-cropped haircut — and Guehi both missing excellent opportunities.

That Guehi was able to move on from his earlier miss and help trigger the comeback reflected well on him, especially after Maresca had used him in the unfamiliar role of central midfield.

That selection itself was an intriguing statement from the Italian, whose arrival had been welcomed by a huge banner before kick-off.

That helped build a raucous atmosphere, and City responded strongly at the start, with Haaland sending Nico O’Reilly through on goal in the opening minutes and Phil Foden seeing an effort blocked.

Marc Guehi pulled one back for City.

Tavernier had put Bournemouth ahead.

A goal looked certain to come, but Haaland somehow missed from right in front of goal after O’Reilly surged forward and picked him out with a precise cross.

Yet just as the home fans began celebrating in anticipation, Haaland got his touch all wrong and the ball bounced back off him, allowing Bournemouth to survive.

The visitors took full advantage of that escape, and Rayan first sounded a warning by capitalising on uncertainty in the City defence to force a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City failed to heed that warning and again did not deal with a bouncing ball, allowing Rayan to turn and release Evanilson. He whipped over a cross to the far post, where Tavernier made no mistake with the finish.

It took a last-ditch tackle from Gvardiol to stop further damage, while Haaland came close to equalising before the break when Dorde Petrovic pushed away his glancing header.

Guehi, operating as the unlikely midfield partner for new signing Elliot Anderson in the centre of the pitch, wasted an even better chance early in the second half when he directed a free header wide from a corner.

City increased the pressure, with Antoine Semenyo testing Petrovic and Foden seeing another effort deflected before Haaland blasted over.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland endured an off day in front of goal.

Haaland was denied once more by Petrovic, but Donnarumma also had to stay alert to keep out a header from Daniel Jebbison.

City finally found their equaliser when Guehi made strong contact with a header from a Rayan Cherki corner.

City sensed there was still enough time to find a winner, and Gvardiol delivered by slotting home from a Cherki pass. The assistant’s flag initially cut short the celebrations, but the goal was eventually awarded, and the Maresca era is now under way.