MAN CITY 3, AFC BOURNEMOUTH 1
Raheem Sterling created a piece of Premier League goalscoring history in Manchester City’s home victory against AFC Bournemouth.
Sterling became the first player to score in each of his first six games against the same opponents.
Indeed, Sterling’s record against the Cherries is now eight goals and two assists from those six appearances.
City were far from their best, but still had too much for Bournemouth as they extended their record to 20 Premier League games without defeat – 17 wins and three draws.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan earned the point in what was far from a routine victory.
When Callum Wilson scored a deserved equaliser on the stroke of half time to make it 1-1 at the break, the game appeared finely balanced.
City, who have won all seven Premier League games against Bournemouth, scoring 24 goals and conceding three, needed to bring on David Silva for the last 20 minutes to help secure maximum points.
And City, despite enjoying 73-per-cent possession, lacked their usual cohesion without the likes of David Silva and the injured pair of Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero in their starting line-up.
City manager Pep Guardiola was delighted with the victory given it was not their best performance.
Guardiola was asked if he had a worry after their “flat” end to the second half.
He said: “Not worry, worries. In the last 20 minutes we were flat and didn’t have rhythm and play as normal.
“We have played a lot of games and that is why I am delighted to win that game and everything was so tough.
“My half-time talk was ridiculous and the first five to 10 minutes of the second half were similar so it didn’t work.
“But I was delighted to win and the way we played in the second half was incredible.”
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was frustrated to leave empty handed.
He said: “We believed before the game and just before half time when we scored and our plan was going our way.
“There were a couple of moments that went against us, but that was the closest we have come to our best result here.
“The goals were scrappy from our perspective and avoidable while our last pass was rushed and could have improved.”
City made five changes from the side that started their Champions League game at Olympique Lyonnais.
Sitting out this one were Kyle Walker, John Stones, David Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Aguero who Guardiola revealed wasn’t fully fit so wasn’t risked.
Into the team came Danilo, Nicolas Otamendi, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus.
Bournemouth had Dan Gosling, Lys Mousset and David Brooks among their substitutes so had plenty of options to change things.
City found the going tough early on against a well-drilled Cherries’ defence.
Leroy Sane made a couple of dangerous runs, that came to nothing before Jesus, sliding in, just failed to convert a cross from Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The breakthrough came in the 16th minute from Bernardo Silva with Zinchenko the provider.
The Ukrainian’s through ball released Sane whose shot was well blocked by keeper Asmir Begovic, but the rebound fell to Silva who shot into an empty net from 12 yards.
Apart from the goal, the Cherries were rarely troubled as their five-man defensive system was successful in keeping City at bay.
Bournemouth had a half chance when Josh King’s cross, that turned into a shot, just eluded Callum Wilson enabling Ederson to make a diving save.
They finished the half strongly and it was no surprise when Wilson equalised in the 44th minute looping in a header from 10 yards following a Simon Francis cross.
And the Cherries came close to taking the lead immediately from the restart when King’s looping cross fell just short of Charlie Daniels at the far post.
City came close to regaining the lead in the 54th minute when Raheem Sterling cut in from the right following a weaving run past five players only to see his shot deflect off Andrew Surman on to the post.
Guardiola’s first change was enforced through injury and Zinchenko was forced off after busting his nose after being caught by the elbow of team-mate Fernandinho. He was replaced by Fabian Delph.
City regained the lead in the 57th minute through Sterling who also played a part in the build-up.
Sterling supplied a pass to Danilo whose fierce drive was parried by Begovic and rebounded to Sterling who shot into the roof of the net.
City had two great chances in quick succession to add a third goal.
Begovic saved well from Jesus’ glanced header from Gundogan’s free kick and then Jesus set up Fernandinho who shot narrowly wide.
Bournemouth had shouts for a penalty rejected after Fernandinho appeared to push Tyrone Mings in the back.
City, who had lost their grip in midfield, were forced to bring on David Silva for Jesus to try and regain control.
David Silva made an immediate impact helping set up City’s third and match-clinching goal in the 79th minute.
Sane and Silva worked a well-rehearsed routine from a short corner with Sane cutting the ball back for Gundogan to convert from six yards.
City made their third and final change with three minutes left when Bernardo Silva made way for Mahrez.