Second half goals from Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan helped Manchester City overcome Bournemouth as the Citizens continued their winning run in the Premier League.
With both sides making changes, City controlled possession throughout and took the lead after 16 minutes as Bernardo Silva slammed home after Asmir Begovic had denied Leroy Sane.
The Cherries frustrated their opponents however and City looked unlikely to add to their lead in the first half. They were made to pay for this too with Callum Wilson brilliantly heading past Ederson just before half-time to level the tie.
City remained flat in the opening exchanges of the second half but were in raptures when Raheem Sterling converted after a scrappy build up to make it 2-1. The Etihad remained tense though until the 79th minute when Ilkay Gundogan stroked home to secure the points.
Playing the first of nine December fixtures, Pep Guardiola rotated his squad, making five changes from the team that drew with Lyon in midweek.
Danilo and Nicolas Otamendi returned in defence in place of Kyle Walker and John Stones, while Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan replaced David Silva and Riyad Mahrez. Sergio Aguero was not included in the matchday squad after it was revealed the Argentine had suffered a muscle discomfort, with Gabriel Jesus deputising.
Eddie Howe also shuffled his pack, bringing in Lewis Cook and Andrew Surman to a fresh midfield. It was in defence however that he caused most surprise, handing Tyrone Mings his first league appearance of the season on the left side of a new look three-man defence.
Sane back to his best
German winger Leroy Sane has endured a difficult few months since the end of last season. After scoring 14 goals and bagging 15 assists in the 2017/18 campaign, Sane was overlooked for Germany’s World Cup squad and has largely played second fiddle to Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez this season.
The 22-year-old’s attitude was questioned by fellow German international Toni Kroos in September and Pep Guardiola claimed Sane needed to work harder after a poor beginning to the season. However, it seems the former Schalke winger is responding to the criticism after a man of the match display against Bournemouth.
He was heavily involved in City’s first and third goals and was a constant thorn in the side of Steve Cook and Simon Francis on the right side of Bournemouth’s defence. Fans will hope Sane’s tireless running and clinical assisting will continue through the busy festive schedule.
Howe shows tactical nous
Despite losing 3-1, Bournemouth were in the game for long spells and can bemoan their luck at key points in the game. Both of City’s first two goals were rebounds, while they had a strong claim for a penalty denied when Fernandinho pushed Tyrone Mings with the score at 2-1.
Having lost heavily on each of their three Premier League trips to the Etihad, Eddie Howe seemed to get his tactics spot on this occasion. The change to a back three was key with City struggling to create clear cut opportunities in open play.
That kind of tactical tinkering is the kind that only enhances Eddie Howe’s reputation as one of the most exciting young managers in the league and although his side didn’t manage to claim a result today, they can take solace in providing a stern test to a City outfit that has now scored 30 goals in eight home games.
City pick up another win despite Aguero absence
Having been expected to start, the Etihad was shrouded in mystery when Sergio Aguero was not included in the matchday squad. Pep Guardiola later explained that it was due to a muscle problem, but gave few further details as to when the striker would return.
The Citizens missed a focal point in attack, with Gabriel Jesus disappointing again. The Brazilian striker has scored in just five games since the start of the World Cup and has not bagged in the Premier League since the 6-1 victory over Huddersfield in August, 104 days ago.
City fans will be nervously hoping that the Argentine striker will miss no more games, but Guardiola did not specify when he expected Aguero to return.
Bournemouth on four game losing streak
Bournemouth enjoyed a flying start to the season and have not dropped out of the top 10 so far. Despite playing reasonably well in recent weeks, they have now lost their last four league games.
Three of those losses have come against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, but Eddie Howe will be concerned about the lack of momentum his side now have heading into the Christmas period.
The Cherries are not playing badly by any means and it is unimaginable that they will be pulled into a relegation battle, having said this the South Coast side need to stop the rot and pick up points as soon as possible.
City among Premier League’s all-time best
Manchester City broke countless records on the way to the Premier League title last season and they have not dropped their level this season so far.
Only one team have had more points at this stage of the season in the history of the Premier League (City in 2017/18), and no side has ever matched their current goal difference of +37. Only two sides have scored more goals after 14 games (City in 2011/12 and 2017/18), while only one* conceded less than City’s six (Chelsea in 2008/09 *and potentially Liverpool 2018/19).
Few will expect this season’s City to eclipse many of last season’s records, but there are certainly specific targets Pep’s side must eye, none more so than a Premier League and Champions League double.
Invincibles?
