Bournemouth 0-2 Man City: Six Things We Learnt

Sterling, Aguero and Fernandinho celebrate – theguardian.com

A good performance helped Manchester City to a 2-0 win at relegation-threatened Bournemouth – but what have we learnt from the game?

City’s controlled approach paid off

For much of this game, Manchester City rejected chances to attack instantly. They instead used David Silva to retain possession, allowing players to find their positions and invite Bournemouth to press, before carefully picking the moment to move forward. This plan helped them play the game on their terms for large spells, including the opening exchanges.

Sane had the beating of Smith

Bournemouth closed down quickly early on with at times five or six men in the opposing half. One of them was often right-back Adam Smith, so when City got beyond the press, they released Leroy Sane on the left. His frequent runs in the first five minutes came to little and play switched to Raheem Sterling on the right, but the duo combined after half an hour. Sane pounced on Smith’s slip to set up the 22-year-old, who finished poorly but recovered two minutes later. A similar move, this time aided by a miskick from the otherwise solid Steve Cook, saw Sterling tap home from close-range.

Bournemouth had their moments

As impressive as City were at times, they could not play their planned, controlled football for the whole game and Bournemouth enjoyed a 15-minute spell of first half pressure. The nippy Ryan Fraser and other midfielders pushed high up the pitch, forcing a vulnerable Yaya Toure off the ball on occasion. Willy Caballero was called upon to make a last-ditch challenge on the lively Jordan Ibe, who looked skilful throughout. The winger set up Josh King to slot home but referee Neil Swarsbrick had seen a foul in the build-up. The Cherries threatened from set plays and Cook’s long throws early in the second half, then had another spell of prominence during which the hardworking Harry Arter forced a fine save from Caballero.

Mixed display from Aguero

That stop from the Argentine was swiftly followed by another big contribution from his compatriot, when Sergio Aguero’s near-post effort was deflected in by Tyrone Mings. Having replaced the injured Gabriel Jesus early on, Aguero worked hard enough and slowly grew more involved, without offering the pace and power of his counter-part.

Injuries hindered Bournemouth

Aguero fared better than Bournemouth’s striker substitute, Benik Afobe. The ex-Wolves man barely had a touch and his arrival in place of Jack Wilshere meant a deeper role for Josh King, who had pressed from the front well. Jordan Ibe was unlucky to be taken off while Simon Francis looked commanding before his premature exit. The latter’s absence will be noticed at centre-back, an area where the Cherries squad looks short.

City could have scored more

As Bournemouth took more risks in the latter stages, City found more counter-attacking opportunities. They hit the woodwork twice through Silva and Sane in the closing 10 minutes but a margin of more than two goals would have been harsh on Bournemouth, who worked hard and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

This was a roundly controlled performance from Pep Guardiola’s side, who deserved the three points, but the work of Caballero and Swarsbrick helped them along the way.