Saturday, December 30
 

Result: Manchester City too strong for Bournemouth

Manchester City move 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have moved 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero (2), Raheem Sterling and Danilo scored the goals for the Citizens, who have now won their last 17 Premier League matches during an incredible 2017-18 campaign.

All of City's big hitters were back following their EFL Cup clash with Leicester City, with Aguero leading an attack which also included Sterling, Leroy Sane, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne. Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, also returned for the Citizens.

The headline team news for Bournemouth was that there was a Premier League debut for 20-year-old centre-back Jack Simpson, while Jordon Ibe, Junior Stanislas and Dan Gosling all started for the away side.

It was the visitors that had the first half-chance of the match in the 10th minute, but Stanislas could only fire wide from the edge of the box after being found by Ibe from a wide position.

City were having all of the ball as the half developed, however, as they looked to pick a way through the Bournemouth defence.

Aguero had a decent opening in the 20th minute after collecting a super pass from Nicolas Otamendi, but the Argentine fired his effort over the crossbar.

Aguero was not to be denied seven minutes later, however, when he headed a Fernandinho cross into the bottom corner as City made the breakthrough after a fairly uneventful opening 26 minutes of football.

Bournemouth managed to restrict the home side to few clear chances in the first half of action, but City were utterly dominant in terms of possession, with that figure reaching 80% in the latter stages of the first period.

A mix-up between Kyle Walker and his goalkeeper Ederson presented Bournemouth with a half-chance late in the first half, but Callum Wilson could not finish for the visitors, who were causing the Citizens some problems.

David Silva had the first opening of the second period after the ball fell kindly for the Spanish midfielder in a dangerous area, but Bournemouth centre-back Steve Cook was on hand to make a brilliant challenge.

City doubled their lead in the 53rd minute, however, when Aguero's clever flick released Sterling, and the England international finished from inside the box to continue his excellent scoring form.

It took until the 77th minute for City to create another chance of note, with David Silva curling just wide of the Bournemouth post as the home side closed on a comfortable three points.

Aguero made it 3-0 10 minutes from time when he headed a Bernardo Silva cross into the back of the net, before substitute Danilo scored the home side's fourth - converting at the near post after a smart pass from Sterling.

Next up for runaway leaders City is a trip to Newcastle United on December 27, while struggling Bournemouth will host West Ham United on Boxing Day.

City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph (Danilo 81'); Fernandinho, De Bruyne (Gundogan 74'), D.Silva; Sterling, Aguero, Sane (B.Silva 67')

Bournemouth (5-4-1): Begovic; Smith, Cook, Ake, Simpson (Mousset 72'), Fraser; Stanislas (Pugh 12'), Gosling, Surman, Ibe; Wilson (Afobe 72')

Read Next:
Stones, Silva back in City training
>

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
You May Like
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City20191061124958
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd20134343162743
3Chelsea20133434142042
4Liverpool20108246232338
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs20114539201937
6Arsenal20114537251237
7Burnley209651817133
8Leicester CityLeicester207673030027
9Everton207672430-627
10Watford207492935-625
11Huddersfield TownHuddersfield206591832-1423
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton205691525-1021
13Stoke CityStoke2055102341-1820
14Southampton204792030-1019
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2053121930-1118
16Crystal Palace2046101832-1418
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham2046102238-1618
18Bournemouth2045111831-1317
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom202991427-1315
20Swansea CitySwansea2034131131-2013
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City20191061124958
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd20134343162743
3Chelsea20133434142042
4Liverpool20108246232338
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs20114539201937
6Arsenal20114537251237
7Burnley209651817133
8Leicester CityLeicester207673030027
9Everton207672430-627
10Watford207492935-625
11Huddersfield TownHuddersfield206591832-1423
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton205691525-1021
13Stoke CityStoke2055102341-1820
14Southampton204792030-1019
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2053121930-1118
16Crystal Palace2046101832-1418
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham2046102238-1618
18Bournemouth2045111831-1317
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom202991427-1315
20Swansea CitySwansea2034131131-2013
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in with Facebook to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
This site uses cookies for Analytics. Click to accept and dismiss this message.