On Saturday, Phil Foden propelled Manchester City to a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, bringing the Premier League championship contenders within a point of leaders Liverpool.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden scored the winning goal against Bournemouth on Saturday, bringing the Premier League championship contenders within one point of leaders Liverpool. With Liverpool playing Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday, City capitalised to go closer to Jurgen Klopp’s team in the match they still had to play. With a goal from Foden in the first half at Dean Court, City prevailed for the 13th time in their previous 14 games across all competitions despite a difficult second half.
Though Pep Guardiola’s team wasn’t at their best on the south coast, they showed the tenacity needed to grind out an important victory. The team was celebrating an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League triumph.
I have never seen Phil Foden play football like this before. I’m incredibly happy with everyone’s involvement, remarked Guardiola.
“I’m not sure how long it will take us to finish every competition, but we are still there. They truly are supermen.”
Guardiola continued, “They had seven days to prepare for this game but we had three,” frustrated by City’s lack of preparation time due to a busy schedule. In the Premier League, some clubs play with less recovery than the others.
Overall, the manner we defended because we had to was amazing. You can’t expect perfection from players who are fatigued and lacking in recuperation because they are human.”
Liverpool is still leading, but City is closing the gap after going 17 games without losing across all competitions since their December loss at Aston Villa.
“Every three days for years, not just this season, years,” Guardiola praised City’s dynastic reign in the Premier League. Even if it’s challenging, they are succeeding. My respect for each and every player is immense.”
On Wednesday, City travels to Luton for their FA Cup fifth round match. The following weekend, they face Manchester United for a vital league match.
Kevin De Bruyne was benched by Guardiola, but City swiftly found their rhythm.
Erling Haaland sped towards goal after Foden flashed a pinpoint pass to him, but his drive flew wide.
Haaland was nearly punished by Bournemouth as Milos Kerkez’s well-aimed shot forced an excellent save from Ederson.
However, City were soon back on the attack as the dynamic Foden sent a long-range shot that forced Bournemouth goalie Neto to make his first save.
In the twenty-fourth minute, Foden gave the visitors the lead, a warning that Bournemouth disregarded.
Haaland pushed his way into the penalty area and fired a shot that Foden simply needed to touch into the empty net after Neto could only push it out.
City bound by ropes
Foden’s season-high 16 goals in all competitions came just after a spectacular moment of magic from Bernardo Silva as the City midfielder curled just wide.
Despite not having won a league game since Boxing Day, Bournemouth rallied to give City a real worry.
Just before halftime, Ederson made a great stop to deny Ryan Christie’s effort, and the Brazilian was called upon again almost away following the break.
Outside of the City area, Justin Kluivert was allowed too much time and space, as Ederson stopped the Bournemouth forward’s low drive at full stretch.
Guardiola was once again shifted uncomfortably on the touchline as Bournemouth gained confidence following another close victory over Brentford in midweek.
Marcus Tavernier mishandled Antoine Semenyo’s cross to give himself a chance to equalise.
Shortly afterward, Tavernier made an even bigger error by missing the goal from 10 yards out.
Usually so composed, City were faltering for once, but Ederson kept their advantage intact with an incredible stop from a header by Dominic Solanke.
In Haaland’s final action before Julian Alvarez took over, Neto made a nice stop to end the player’s strong charge.
Up to the very last second, City were tense. However, Dango Ouattara of Bournemouth missed a wonderful opportunity, and Enes Unal’s header narrowly missed.