STER CRAZY
Pep hails Raheem for helping jaded City stay top of pile
Pep Guardio la thanked Raheem Sterling for sending City clear at the top of the Premier League.
Sterling had scored in each of his previous five fixtures against Bournemouth and he struck after 57 minutes to settle City’s nerves.
Callum Wilson scored a minute before half-time to cancel out Bernardo Silva’s opener but Sterling re- established City’s lead before Ilkay Gundogan gave them some breathing space.
Guardiola said: “In the second half Raheem Sterling changed the game. We were much better.
“We play every three days. That is why we were flat.
“I asked them for more at half-time but the first five minutes was not good.
“They didn’t listen but one action from Raheem Sterling changed the game.
“We don’t expect every 90 minutes to have an incredible performance. It is a lesson we have to learn, how to win when we are tired.”
The win gives City a five point lead over Liverpool ahead of the Reds’ clash with Everton today.
The hosts needed only 16 minutes to break the deadlock with Silva tucking into an empty net after Asmir Begovic could only parry as Leroy Sane attempted to get on the end of Oleksandr Zinchenko’s ball over the top.
City did not heed an early let- off from Wilson and the England striker powered home a header from Simon Francis’ ball into the box.
Sterling served notice of his intent as he hit the post after the restart.
And he continued his great scoring run against the Cherries, f iring in after Danilo’s effort was saved.
Bournemouth had strong claims for a penalty turned down after Fernandinho appeared to push Tyrone Mings but Gundogan doubled City’s lead in the 79th minute, coolly finishing from David Silva’s low cross.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said: “The three goals we conceded were scrappy.
“They didn’t cut through us with beautiful football and we kick ourselves for that.
“In terms of the penalty it’s one of those where as the away team, with no noise to disturb the referee, it’s easy to wave away. It could have been a penalty.”