The midfielder scored the only goal of the game at the Vitality Stadium as the Norway international once again spurned multiple chances
Manchester City moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool as they secured their second successive 1-0 win of the week, this time on the road at Bournemouth thanks to yet another goal from in-form midfielder Phil Foden.
City scored the only goal of the game just after the 20 minute mark, as Foden finished coolly after Erling Haaland saw his shot saved. The Norway international had a game to forget, in truth, as he again missed a number of chances to give City some breathing space on the south coast.
Bournemouth were bold and brave in the second half as they attempted to snatch a point, but the defending champions held firm and subsequently avoided a potential banana skin.
GOAL rates City's players from the Vitality Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (7/10):
Made a superb early save to deny Kerkez and saved well from Solanke's close-range header in the second half. Never wilted under the home side's aggressive positioning in attack, and kept his sheet clean.
Manuel Akanji (5/10)
Beaten a couple of times down the right and could be more adventurous when he has the ball, to give City another option in attack.
John Stones (6/10):
Pushed forward repeatedly, even winning a free-kick on the edge of the box in the first half. Bournemouth did seem to wise up to those runs in the second half, but a strong showing.
Ruben Dias (6/10):
Made a vital clearance to deny Tavernier and kept his defence well-organised against Bournemouth's second-half pressure.
Nathan Ake (7/10):
So composed on the ball. Slipped before Tavernier saw his effort cleared, but some really strong one-on-one defending otherwise. City's best defender on the day.
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Rodri (6/10):
Constantly scanning and keeps City ticking. Had to do more defensive work than he would have expected in the second half, but did so with a minimum of fuss.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Very good at relieving pressure by shielding and winning free-kicks, but his positioning often left something to be desired, as he consistently pushed up, leaving Rodri as the sole anchor in midfield. Subbed late.
Matheus Nunes (5/10):
Deployed, unusually, on the left flank. Mostly peripheral prior to his substitution after the hour, as he was replaced by Doku.
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Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Some beautiful touches and a curling effort that flew just wide, while he repeatedly tried to free Haaland of Bournemouth's marking, to varying degrees of success.
Erling Haaland (4/10):
Sent clean through by Foden early on but blazed wide, before his next shot was saved and converted by his England team-mate. Guardiola will surely be concerned that he had more than one opportunity when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but simply couldn't find the back of the net. A poor showing by his standards and his substitution only confirms as much.
Phil Foden (8/10):
Opened the scoring as he followed in and finished after Haaland saw a shot saved. A poacher's effort. Constantly linked with Bernardo and Haaland, and looked City's most dangerous player every time they attacked.
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GettySubs & Manager
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
On for the ineffective Nunes. Mucked in defensively, even if he didn't really affect the game in the final third.
Julian Alvarez (6/10):
On for Haaland. Barely touched the ball.
Kevin De Bruyne (5/10):
On for Kovacic to help see the game out. Did not have enough time to weave his usual magic, but was booked for kicking the ball away.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
A bizarre choice to play Nunes on the left didn't work, but City got over the line despite inviting plenty of pressure in the second half. He will know they are capable of so much more.