Manchester City go second, cut Chelsea’s lead to eight points
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 13/02/2017 at 22:34 GMT
Premier League, Vitality Stadium – Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 2 (Sterling 29 Mings og 69)
Manchester City celebrate
Image credit: AFP
Manchester City climbed into second in the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth, although the triumph was soured by Gabriel Jesus’ early injury.
The 19-year-old Brazilian hobbled off after 14 minutes with an ankle injury, to be replaced by Sergio Aguero.
Raheem Sterling got City moving inside half an hour, tucking home from close-range at the back post from David Silva's deflected cross, before Aguero forced Tyrone Mings to put through his own goal on 69 minutes to double the visitors’ advantage.
Aguero seemed slightly off the pace at the Vitality Stadium, having been benched for City's last three league games, but his contribution was loudly acclaimed at the final whistle for those who had made the long journey to the south coast.
The victory sees Manchester City move eight points behind leaders Chelsea with 13 matches of the season to go.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/02/13/2024608-42487647-2560-1440.jpg)
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their second goal
Image credit: Reuters
TALKING POINT
Can Bournemouth be dragged into the relegation battle?
Eddie Howe's side remain 14th, six points off the relegation places, but they are on a downward spiral defensively. With a settled defence, Bournemouth conceded just 16 goals in their opening 12 Premier League matches, but they have now let in 33 in following 13 following a series of injuries.
With Simon Francis (hamstring) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) limping out tonight, do Bournemouth have enough strength in depth to arrest the slump? If they fail to get points on the board in their visits to West Brom and Manchester United, the home games against West Ham and Swansea in March become must-win matches.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/02/13/2024635-42488187-2560-1440.jpg)
Manchester City's David Silva in action with Bournemouth's Jack Wilshere.
Image credit: Eurosport
MAN OF THE MATCH
David Silva (Manchester City): The Spanish playmaker was again at his impish best, linking play superbly in midfield and bringing Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane into play down the flanks. Silva can do the simple things well, and makes the difficult look breathlessly easy. One moment of skill stood out, when he controlled a high ball in first-half injury-time dead with one touch, before releasing Kevin de Bruyne for a run on goal.
KEY MOMENTS
14' - JESUS INJURED! Jesus in on his back and holding his face, and then his right ankle. The Bournemouth fans are not particularly sympathetic as he hobbles off. Aguero runs on to replace him.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/02/13/2024580-42487087-2560-1440.jpg)
Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus sits after sustaining an injury
Image credit: Reuters
27' – SAVE! Boruc makes a brilliant save from Sterling with his boot onto the left post from Sane's pass. From the second phase, Toure goes close with a curling shot from Stones' pass.
29' – GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 City. Sterling breaks the deadlock, with Sane's cross deflecting off Cook and into the path of Sterling at the far post, with a stretching Daniels unable to nick the ball away.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/02/13/2024622-42487927-2560-1440.jpg)
Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne - Bournemouth vs Manchester City - Premier League on February 13, 2017
Image credit: AFP
45+2' - WILSHERE INJURED! Benik Afobe replaces Wilshere, who seemed to jar his ankle when blocking from Silva earlier in the half.
45+4' - PENALTY APPEAL! Sane goes between two defenders and goes down under Arter's challenge, but referee Swarbrick says no penalty.
69' – GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 City. Mings puts through his own goal under pressure from Aguero and City make it 2-0 against the run of play, following a good run down the left, stepover and cross from Sterling.
78'- CLOSE! Fernandinho gets clear off Daniels from Silva's free-kick but heads wide when it may have been easier to head on target.
83' – CHANCE! Mings gives away the ball in the area to Sane at an acute angle, but the German's shot clatters off the woodwork.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2017/02/13/2024636-42488207-2560-1440.jpg)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with Sergio Aguero after the game
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
Bournemouth: Boruc 7, Smith 6, Francis 6, Cook 7, Daniels 6, Surman 6, Arter 6, Wilshere 6, Ibe 5, Fraser 7, King 7. Subs: Mings 6, Pugh 6, Afobe 6
Manchester City: Caballero 7, Sagna 7, Sterling 8, Kolarov 7, De Bruyne 7, Sane 7, Silva 9, Stones 7, Fernandinho 8, G Jesus 6, Toure 6. Subs: Nolito 6, Aguero 7, Otamendi 6.
KEY FACTS
Bournemouth have lost all four of their Premier League games against Man City, conceding 15 goals and scoring just one of their own.
Manchester City have never lost to Bournemouth in a league game, winning eight and drawing two of their ten matches.
Bournemouth have lost all four of their Premier League games on a Monday without scoring a goal. City have won 11 and lost three of their 14 Monday night games.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article