BOURNEMOUTH 0, MANCHESTER CITY 1
Manchester City regained top spot in the Premier League with another battling performance to win 1-0 at Bournemouth thanks to a goal by Riyad Mahrez.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut victory at the Vitality Stadium came at a cost as the Blues lost Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones to injury before substitute Mahrez scored the winner in the second half.
It was a cathartic goal for the Algerian forward who has suffered with poor form since missing a late penalty at Anfield against Liverpool which would have won the game for City in October.
De Bruyne had only recently returned from an injury blow a few months ago before limping off just before half time with a hamstring pull.
City boss Pep Guardiola later confirmed that the Belgian would be missing ‘for a while’.
The Spaniard admitted Stones’ injury was only minor.
With the business end of the season approaching City’s squad will be stretched to the limit as they look to add to the Carabao Cup win last weekend.
Bournemouth switched to 5-4-1 and defended in numbers throughout as City tried to pick holes in their defence.
David Silva fired wide early in one of the few chances before City lost De Bruyne who went down after he passed the ball.
Mahrez came on for the Belgian and scored a low drive from 6 yards early in the second half after David Silva slipped the ball to him after some interplay with Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Raheem Sterling hit the side netting while Mahrez missed a sitter with Artur Boruc grounded after blocking the ball from Sterling.
Sergio Aguero hit the crossbar with a floated cross/shot as City went to kill the game off and Boruc saved from Mahrez’ late header.
But the home side could not stop City going back to the top of the Premier League with another precious win to put the ball back in Liverpool’s court.
The Cherries ended with just 18% possession having attempted no shots on the City goal and won no corners while an utterly dominant City hammered them with chances and corners.