Cherries miseryas City go second

MANCHESTER City moved up to second in the Premier League with a hard-fought victory over Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium.

Having started on the bench again, City striker Sergio Aguero appeared after just 14 minutes following an injury to Gabriel Jesus.

But it was Raheem Sterling who grabbed the opener from close range on the half-hour mark, having been denied by a brilliant Artur Boruc save two minutes before.

The hosts thought they had replied immediately, but Joshua King’s strike was ruled out for pulling John Stones’ shirt in the build-up.

Harry Arter’s curling shot stretched City goalkeeper Willy Caballero into a fine save, before Tyrone Mings put City’s second into his own net under pressure from Aguero.

Leroy Sane rattled the bar late on, as City extended their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

City boss Pep Guardiola was delikghted with the win which ensures Bournemouth have yet to win a game this year.

He said: “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.”

In contrast, Cherries gaffer Eddie Howe acknowledged his team, was in serious danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight.

He said: “I thought we gave our best. Manchester City were very good. We found it difficult to build momentum and pressure. We were hampered by our injuries in the first half.

“We have to be positive. We go into a break in the Premier League calendar and have to come back refreshed and ready to fight for our league survival.”