Manchester City have closed the gap on Liverpool at the Premier League top to a point after a deserved 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in Premier League matchday 26 clash.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth faced a huge task reversing their winless run against Manchester City. They had clashed with the Premier League champions 19 times without a single victory – the most number of times a Premier League club have faced a particular opponent without a victory.
In all their 19 meetings, they have managed just 2 draws, losing 17 times.
Meanwhile, Manchester United went into the game as dominos, having won all their last 13 meetings against Bournemouth – the longest winning streak a side has recorded against a particular opponent in the Premier League.
Also, Bournemouth went into the game winless in their last 6 Premier League fixtures, drawing 3, and losing 3 while Manchester City had won all their last four away games.
With the odds all against the Cherries, it was pretty evident they were in for an arduous task against City at the Vitality Stadium.
It was a bright start for the home side. Against expectations, they pressed City upfield and were looking to match the visitors’ press as well.
Andoni Iraola seemed to have gotten his game plan right; holding City with close marking and middle blocks while making efforts to catch them out on long balls.
It was a tricky affair for both sides. City soaked up the pressure and mounted threatening offensives as expected.
Bournemouth gradually began to lose momentum in the 20th minute after a bright start. City began dominating proceedings going forward and it wasn’t long before they take lead.
Haaland nearly got the visitors in front in the 24th minute but his effort was punched away by Neto. The rebound fell on the path of Phil Foden who finished into an empty net to make it 1-0. City took the narrow lead into the break.
It was a barren second half as City failed to add to the tally while Bournemouth pushed through counters for an equaliser all to no avail.
City could not add to the tally either. Phil Foden’s goal was enough to secure all three points for Manchester City at the blast of the final whistle.
