Manchester City began their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, but it took until the 90th minute for the hosts to settle a contest that threatened to slip away from them. In a match that encapsulated the fine margins of top-flight football, Rayan Cherki proved the decisive figure, registering two assists to ensure Pep Guardiola's side opened the season with three points.

The encounter was far from the comfortable afternoon City might have anticipated. Bournemouth arrived at the Etihad with clear intent, refusing to sit back and making life difficult for the home side throughout. The Cherries found the net to level the score and for long stretches appeared capable of snatching something from their trip to Manchester. Their defensive organisation and willingness to press high disrupted City's usual rhythm, leaving the outcome in genuine doubt as the clock ticked past the 80-minute mark.

Cherki, however, was the difference. The Frenchman's influence grew as the match progressed, and his quality in the final third ultimately separated the two sides. His first assist helped City establish a foothold in the game, and when Bournemouth fought back to equalise, it was Cherki who once again provided the moment of inspiration. Deep into the 90th minute, he carved open the visiting defence to tee up the winner, sending the Etihad into raptures and condemning Bournemouth to an agonising defeat.

The late drama will sting Andoni Iraola's side, who did more than enough to deserve at least a point. Their performance underlined why they have established themselves as a competitive Premier League outfit, and on another day the result could easily have gone their way. But football at this level is decided by individual quality in key moments, and Cherki delivered exactly that when his team needed it most.

For City, the three points are what matters most on the opening day, even if the manner of victory exposed areas that will need attention as the season progresses. The reliance on a single player's creativity to unlock a well-organised opponent is a theme Guardiola will want to address. Nonetheless, starting the campaign with a win — especially one earned in such tense circumstances — sets a positive tone. Cherki's two-assist performance marks him as a player to watch in the weeks ahead, and City will hope this late intervention is a sign of things to come from their creative talent.