BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates scoring the first goal with Bernardo Silva during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Manchester City moved to within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool after edging Bournemouth 1-0 on Saturday evening.
Premier League
Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City
Date: 24 February 2024
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Man City made three changes following victory over Brentford, as Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Nathan Ake were recalled while Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish were fit enough to feature on the bench.
The Cherries were quick off the blocks as they pressurized City high and on nine minutes Milos Kerkez came close to opening the scoring with a looping shot that was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Ederson.
However, City eventually found their rhythm going forward as Phil Foden broke the deadlock on 24 minutes with a close-range effort after shot-stopper Neto parried a shot from Erling Haaland on his path.
Pep Guardiola’s charges controlled the game with prolonged spells of possession after that but they could not create clear-cut chances.
The Cherries grew heart in the closing phase of the first stanza and Ryan Christie came close to snatching the equaliser on the stroke of half-time with a first-time shot that forced a low reflex save from Ederson.
Andoni Iraola’s charges had a bright start again in the second stanza as six minutes in Justin Kluivert came close to getting the equaliser with a strike from range that was eventually saved by Ederson.
City wanted to regain their attacking dominance with a tactical change just after the hour-mark as Jeremy Doku replaced Nunes
However, Bournemouth continued to cause all sorts of problems for the Citizens and with 15 minutes to, Guardiola brought on the fresh legs of Julian Alvarez in place Haaland up top.
The game opened up in the dying minutes and Dango Ouattara almost got the leveller for the Cherries after he dribbled his way into the box and unleashed a shot that flashed just wide.
Bournemouth continued to create chances in stoppages but they were not clinical, as City held on to the three points and reduced the deficit behind leaders Liverpool to just a single point in second place on the log.
