Three Key Takeaways: Citizens Jump to Second in 2-0 Bournemouth Victory

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 13: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City battles for the ball with Joshua King of Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on February 13, 2017 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City made it three league wins in a row after a composed 2-0 victory at A.F.C. Bournemouth on Monday evening.

The Citizens were looking to jump up to second place with the win, which would be their fourth in a row in all competitions. Eddie Howe’s Cherries had been struggling, failing to record a league win yet in 2017.

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Guardiola made one change in the line-up that defeated Swansea City last weekend, by bringing in Bacary Sagna at right-back. Alex Kolarov and John Stones started as the centerbacks, while Fernandinho experimented at left-back. Gabriel Jesus started up top, with Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane featuring on the wings.

Both sides started off with some great energy, feeling one another out and trying to gain possession. However, Guardiola was forced into a change 15 minutes in as Jesus limped off with an apparent ankle injury. Sergio Aguero replaced the Brazilian up top.

Sterling almost made it 1-0 after 26 minutes, but saw his effort blocked and deflected off the right post. However, Sterling made amends three minutes later as he tapped home Sane’s deflected cross for a 1-0 lead. It was Sterling’s seventh career goal against Bournemouth in his fifth match all-time.

Bournemouth almost equalized quickly after the restart, but Joshua King‘s goal was whistled off for a foul. The Norwegian pulled John Stones out-of-the-way in order to get his effort off.

1-0 would be the score-line going into the halftime break, as Manchester City had the better of the offensive chances. In the second half, City continued to dominate possession while Bournemouth looked for an equalizer.

In the 69th minute, an own-goal off of Cherries defender Tyrone Mings made it 2-0 to the Citizens after Aguero looked to have scored. Aguero’s bundled effort went off of Mings and into the net for an insurance goal.

Sane almost added a goal to his tally in the 83rd but saw his powerful effort go off the bar from close range. The German missed a stoppage time effort from the opposite wing which also could have made it 3-0.

At the final whistle, Manchester City had a 2-0 win at a windy Vitality Stadium, and a move up to second place in the league table.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero provided some great distribution out of the back, and was forced into one save. Artur Boruc made three saves for Bournemouth. After the match, Pep Guardiola praised his team’s performance in an interview with BBC Sport. “We made a real performance. I am so pleased with how we did and especially the last 10-15 minutes, we did the right way to make the result with a thousand million passes. It is important to score goals, we are in deficit but it is OK.”

Following the win, here are my three key takeaways from the match.

1.) Despite King’s scare, Manchester City looked comfortable.
It isn’t easy to go to the Vitality Stadium and get a win, no matter where you sit in the table. Manchester City made it look easy at times, controlling possession and finding the best chance to score. The final score-line said 2-0, but it easily could have been a few more. Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling both deserved ‘man of the match’ awards for their hard work, and tricky play down the wings. Defensively, Manchester City were very good with and without the ball. John Stones was superb, and the team as a whole is improving at the back. Bournemouth eventually looked tired out near the end, which allowed Manchester City to get the all-important second goal. Overall, it was a professional performance by Manchester City who deserved the three points.

2.) With Jesus out, Aguero steps right back in.
Gabriel Jesus’ injury didn’t look good, but Guardiola also brought the 19-year-old off as a precaution. The Brazilian got tangled with Steve Cook during a clearance, which caught the forward’s ankle. However, Guardiola can now recall Sergio Aguero back into the team which is a huge plus. Aguero has 18 goals in all comps and is a world-class striker. He may be forced to put in some more work for the team, but he sure is a productive replacement to bring in for Jesus. I expect Aguero to start as the main forward going into City’s F.A. Cup tie on Saturday.

3.) Willy Caballero should start for Manchester City in-goal.
After Claudio Bravo‘s early season failures, I feel Guardiola should stick with Caballero going forward. The Argentine has been able to work well with the defenders, and provide some great passes out of the back. Caballero has made some key saves for City in the past, and is a strong shot blocker. Bravo may be good with his feet, but he has cost Manchester City points earlier this season. Also, the team has been winning with Caballero in net and there is no reason to change anything as the team has been successful.

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Overall, a great evening for the lads as they earn three points, and jump to second place. They now have a F.A. Cup tie at second-tier Huddersfield Town approaching on Saturday which should not be overlooked.