Bournemouth 0-1 Man City: Phil Foden on target as Pep Guardiola's side close on Liverpool in Premier League
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Updated 24/02/2024 at 22:01 GMT
Manchester City came through another difficult test on the road at Bournemouth on Saturday evening, emerging victorious thanks to a solitary goal from the in-form Phil Foden. The England forward's strike came in the 24th minute when, as Erling Haaland's shot was saved, Foden was on hand to slide home the rebound. The result put Pep Guardiola's side one point off leaders Liverpool.
Phil Foden
Image credit: Getty Images
Phil Foden scored the only goal as Manchester City kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Foden’s first-half strike proved the difference at the Vitality Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s side cut the gap at the top of the table to a single point.
Fresh from four successive away wins, City generated the first opportunity with Erling Haaland firing wide after eight minutes while, at the other end, Ederson was forced to tip Milos Kerkez’ dipping long-range drive over soon after.
The visitors did break through in the 24th minute as Neto parried Haaland’s volley straight into the path of Foden, who tucked into the empty net from inside the six-yard box.
Bournemouth searched for an equaliser after the break with Marcus Tavernier and top scorer Dominic Solanke going close, while substitute Eres Unal headed agonisingly wide in the dying moments as City held out for three more vital points.
Talking Point – City and Guardiola continue Bournemouth dominance
Very much in the hunt for a record fourth successive Premier League title, City maintained their perfect record against Bournemouth in the English top flight.
The Citizens have now won all 14 such meetings. The Cherries are also Guardiola’s favourite opponents. His 13 unanswered victories give him a 100% win record against them, his best against any opponent in his managerial career.
Saturday's success also brought up a milestone for the Spaniard, who has now overseen 150 wins in charge of City.
Player of the Match – Phil Foden (Manchester City)
A hat-trick hero at Brentford in his last Premier League appearance away from the Etihad Stadium, Foden was also the match winner on City’s travels this time.
The England forward has now found the net in each of his last five appearances against Bournemouth, bagging his 16th goal of the campaign – equalling his personal best – from a game-high four shots on goal.
He also led the way with the most key passes (four) and crosses (five) throughout the contest, while he gained possession the most times (nine) and only Rodri (99) registered more touches (92).
Player Ratings
Bournemouth: Neto 7, Smith 6, Zabarnyi 7, Senesi 7, Kerkez 7, Christie 6, Cook 6, Semenyo 6, Kluivert 6, Tavernier 6, Solanke 6. Subs: Ouattara 6, Scott 6, Faivre 5, Unal 6, Sinisterra N/A.
Manchester City: Ederson 7, Stones 8, Dias 8, Ake 6, Rodri 7, Akanji 6, Silva 7, Nunes 6, Kovacic 7, Foden 9*, Haaland 6. Subs: Doku 6, Alvarez 5, De Bruyne 5.
Match Highlights
8' - WIDE: A beautiful touch from Foden, whose first-time volleyed pass from a long downfield kick releases Haaland. The number nine only has the goalkeeper to beat, but bends his shot narrowly wide of Neto's left post.
9' - GREAT EFFORT: Bournemouth respond at the other end and Kerkez decides to try his luck from distance. There is plenty of ferocity in his dipping effort, which Ederson is forced to push over the bar.
24' - GOAL!!! BOURNEMOUTH 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY (FODEN): The reigning champions lead at the Vitality Stadium! Kovacic clips the ball into the area for Haaland, who loses Senesi before Neto saves his shot from a tight angle. Although, the Bournemouth goalkeeper only succeeds in putting the ball on a plate for Foden to tap into the empty net from inside the six-yard box.
55' - CHANCE: Semenyo gets the better of Ake and sending a teasing low cross towards the far post. It drops for Tavernier, but he does not quite connect cleanly with his first-time shot and Dias is there to head clear.
67' - GREAT SAVE: Bournemouth push for the equaliser and force a corner. A deep delivery is met by Solanke, but Ederson does brilliantly to claw away his goalbound header.
90' - WHISKERS WIDE: So close from Unal! The substitute almost makes an immediate impact as he connects with Semenyo’s deep cross from the right flank, but sees his header drift marginally wide of Ederson's bottom-right corner.
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