Manchester City 3 Bournemouth 1

During the course of a season there are some games which with hindsight stand out. Today Manchester City clawed their way past a good Bournemouth side whilst playing a number of their second string.

When the performances of the season are reviewed, I suspect this game may feature more prominently than anyone believed it would. Despite Bournemouth starting the day in 8th place, this should have been a relatively routine victory for the Manchester City, but that was not the case. Instead it required at least one moment of world class passing, some luck and some tenacious and dogged displays.

City blistered into the lead through a fantastic goal by Bernardo Silva early in the first half. Zinchenko looped a high ball into the path of Leroy Sane, who snatched a shot which was pushed away by Bergovic in the Bournemouth goal into the path of Bernardo who struck a trademark pile driver into the net.

There were moments where City could have effectively sealed the victory. But Bournemouth began to wrestle some control in the game as the first half went on. Their wingers started to find space and gradually they exerted some game management.

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This was a City side missing many of their first choice players. Danilo and Zinchenko were full backs. Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo both returned from injury in this match and looked throughout to be in need of some game time to hit their usual illustrious heights. Otamendi joined Laporte in a make shift centre back pairing, which for all its industry lacked the class of the Laporte/Stones combination.

Upfront Gabriel Jesus continued to expend energy with little impact and he had a worrying lack of involvement in the game. In the cold Manchester drizzle today he looked the least Brazilian he has ever looked. If ever a player needed a run of goals it is Jesus.

The equaliser came just before half time and it was a lovely worked piece of interplay finished with a looping header by Callum Wilson past the outstretched hand of Ederson. It was exactly what Bournemouth deserved for the efforts they had put when the ball was in play. They also infuriated the home crowd by time wasting early in the first half, even when 1:0 down.

Still Eddie Howe has the Bournemouth team working hard and playing some neat football and there were moments in the second half when they threatened to sneak another goal. However City have reserve in the tank, even after the display against Lyon in mid week, and slowly began to wrestle control back.

Raheem Sterling went up a gear in the second half and pressed and probed. Leroy Sane hunted at pace down the left and gradually chances started to stack up. Sterling fired high into the net within the 6 yard box following some good defending. City responded to going in front by bringing on David Silva and this only served to emphasise the gulf in class between the 2 sides.

Within minutes of coming on, a Silva slide rule pass released Sane to the byline and he cut the ball back for Gundogan to finish. A sublime piece of skill from our little Spanish magician. Once the 3rd goal had gone in, it was game over and City retained the ball to see the game out.

City clawed this victory out after allowing a buoyant Bournemouth to take some control in the game. Fighting back, with a second strength side, whilst allowing some rest for key players and providing game time for those returning from injury, may turn out to be a pivotal moment in what could yet be a momentous season.

Related Story. Bournemouth Game Preview. light

City are 5 points clear of 2nd placed Liverpool and look ahead to our next match, away to Watford on Tuesday to continue their impressive run of form.

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