Bournemouth 0 Man City 1
Man City travelled to the Vitality Stadium to face a team they have a perfect record against in the Premier League. With Liverpool leading the way at the top of the table, Pep Guardiola’s side needed another victory at the least against Bournemouth.
The Cherries were looking to press high up the pitch but the problem with this is if your opponent manages to play through it. A direct ball to Foden in the middle of the park saw the midfielder volley it straight to Haaland. The big surprise was the Norwegian placing his shot wide of the goal.
Andoni Iraola’s side were not willing to be extras in this production and as Kerkez fired a left-footed shot from outside the box, Ederson did well to tip it over the bar. Bournemouth were looking to find some of the attacking play that had taken them on a brilliant run of form before Christmas.
City patiently knocked the ball around and Haaland found himself with the ball at his feet in the box. He turned and shot but Neto saved, only to see Foden slot in the rebound to give the visitors the lead. Guardiola’s side made it look so simple.
Credit: @premierleague
Stones and Silva shared a neat one-two before the defender come midfielder squared it across the box. The Cherries only half-cleared the ball back to Bernardo Silva but his curling effort just missed the far post. Man City looked capable of scoring every time they came forward now.
Just before the break, Iraola’s side came forward again and Christie fired a shot off from outside the box. It would take something special to beat Ederson from here and the Brazilian got down to make a comfortable save for the visitors.
Whatever the manager said at half time seemed to work as The Cherries came out of the blocks in the second half. Semenyo crossed to find Tavernier at the back post but he scuffed his shot and did not test the Man City keeper.
Solanke was causing problems with his physical presence and he laid the ball off to Tavernier once again. The former Rangers man got his shot all wrong again as he sent his effort wide of the goal. The hosts were not taking their chances in front of goal.
As a corner was swung into the back post, Solanke rose to meet it with a header but Ederson punched the ball off the line in rather dramatic style. The replay showed that it was only inches away from setting off the watch on the referee’s wrist.
Erling Haaland was slotted in but a great challenge from the defender sent him wide before he drilled his effort straight at Neto in the Bournemouth goal. It was the Norwegian’s last involvement as Guardiola felt this was not his day and brought him off.
Credit: @afcbournemouth
Ouattara then had a chance to get a shot off at goal but once again it was dragged wide of the far post. Iraola would do well to get his side in for some shooting practice as they were shooting like Taliban soldiers on the south coast.
Deep into added time Semenyo put in a quality cross, picking out substitute Unal at the back post. He met it with his head and got some power into the effort as he looked for the bottom corner but it went narrowly wide of the goal.
Man City held on for an important win as they moved to within a point of the league leaders. It is going to be an enthralling title challenge this season and one thing you can guarantee is that Pep Guardiola’s side will take it to the wire. Next up, a Manchester derby before heading to Anfield for a real crunch match.
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