Manchester City emerged victorious on the south coast with a 3-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth, as Sergio Aguero stole the headlines to register a brace for the Citizens.
Aguero, Sterling help City move into second
A sunny south coast could not dampen Manchester City’s slick football, as Pep Guardiola’s men beat Bournemouth, running out comfortable 3-1 winners in the end.
City had taken a commanding two-goal lead before Harry Wilson’s spectacular free-kick found the top corner to keep Bournemouth in it. But Aguero effectively killed the game off just after the hour mark when the ball fell kindly to his feet after David Silva’s run to restore their advantage.
Earlier, City didn’t have to wait for too long to the lead. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s ball into the box fell to Kevin De Bruyne who mis-hit a shot into the path of Aguero who calmly placed a low shot past the Cherries’ keeper.
A double substitution saw Callum Wilson and Adam Smith replaced by Jordon Ibe and Dominic Solanke in the 68th minute.
Solanke was teed up by King in the closing stages but could only fire tamely at Ederson with his left foot, the City goalkeeper saving comfortably. And Solanke had another effort blocked in stoppage-time
The Cherries were also left to sweat on the extent of a knee injury to defender Charlie Daniels who was carried off on a stretcher in the first half.
Here are the talking points of a ‘champion like performance from Pep Guardiola’s men, moving them into the second place behind Liverpool
City might be rusty but are playing like champions already
City bounced back from the draw against Tottenham by taking care of the Cherries behind two goals from Sergio Aguero. The result was never really in doubt, as City had 19 shots on the day.
While Harry Wilson’s goal was a scare as the cherries had halved the deficit at half time, the result was never really in doubt with the men in blue’s incessant attacks.
The Blues didn’t have it all their way in defence, with Ederson making at least two outstanding saves at crucial moments.
David Silva was superb, dictating the play, heavily involved in two goals on his 400th appearance for the club.
Bournemouth did cause a few problems with their dynamism and energy; which Guardiola will need to address.
“We weren’t at our best, but knowing the conditions, the way they defend, they don’t press, they wait, sit back, wait for the counterattack, so there wasn’t rhythm, but we solved it,” Guardiola said post the match
While perhaps not as dazzling as the display against Tottenham, which had Guardiola purring despite the result, this was a show of why City are champions. Bournemouth were much improved from an aimless outing in this fixture last term, but the visitors would not shirk the battle, relied on their goalkeeper when needed and finished ruthlessly.
All hail the assist king! Kevin De Bruyne!
It may not have been his tidiest, but De Bruyne’s role in Aguero’s opening goal was his 50th Premier League assists.
The Belgian is the fastest to reach the milestone, achieving it in 122 games – the previous quickest to reach a half-century was Mesut Ozil who did it in 141 games for Arsenal.
His assists are now becoming common currency in the Premier League, along with Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero’s goals
Ederson always there when called upon
Much of Pep’s team plaudits are won by his ruthless frontline, but his shrewdest signing at the back is of Brazilian Ederson, always plucking out match-saving turns, especially when his team needs the most.
At the Vitality too, the goalkeeper started shakily, going into the book for clattering Callum Wilson, before making vital stops from Smith and the England striker, as well as commanding his box as City overcame the Bournemouth challenge.
They say the best goalkeepers save with any and every part of their body – and Ederson’s save from Adam Smith illustrated the point as the Bournemouth midfielder pounced on Otamendi’s mistake to fire a powerful shot from point-blank range.
It looked a certain goal but Ederson reacted instinctively and the ball struck his face and went over the bar, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘saving face’!
Aguero and Silva paring, officially in a league of premier league legends
Not that they need the certification, Sergio Aguero and David Silva have now combined for 27 Premier League goals – third-best behind stellar duos that are Thierry Henry and Robert Pires (29) and Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard (36).
Two goals and performance of industry and endeavour from City’s record goal-scorer, saw him receive the official man of the match award but his Spanish partner was the one who glided through the Bournemouth team on multiple occasions.
Post Harry Wilson’s blinder, Pep Guardiola’s side negotiated passage to another victory with all the panache of seasoned champions, with David Silva, physically dwarfed by the home side’s central midfield, untouchable at the heart of their play. Playing in his 400th game in the blue of Manchester City, in possibly his last season, Silva showed his unmatched consistent class in a city side filled with stars. This was a reminder of what City will lose when he departs upon the expiry of his contract next summer.
He may not have the stamina of old, with the management and medical staff managing his schedule cannily, but even now so many struggles to quell the threat posed by the 33-year-old when he infiltrates any hint of space in front of an opposition backline
With Jesus set to have a spell on the side-lines Pep has his, now veteran, duo to rely upon again.
Harry Wilson could be Bournemouth’s brightest creative spark, especially in games when Bournemouth’s front three are curbed.
It was a game-changing introduction, albeit under unfortunate circumstances, in what seemed like Charlie Daniels suffered a very serious-looking knee injury. His introduction sparked life into the Cherries though, with the injection of pace and trickery out wide giving the home side the impetuous they so desperately craved.
The 22-year-old, who scored a stunning goal on debut at Aston Villa, left Ederson clutching at Dorset air as his wonderful strike rocketed into the top corner.
He was lively throughout, but that free-kick was something of pure brilliance, and worth watching many, many times over. Entering the fray with such aplomb will have Howe questioning his decision to bench the Welshman from the start.
