Match Coverage

Match Report and Player Ratings: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City (Premier League)

Published:

19:37

February 24th 2024

| Last Updated:

19:37

February 24th 2024

Leighton Brewer

Manchester City earned a hard-fought three points on the road, as they defeated AFC Bournemouth 0-1 in the Premier League.

A first-half tap-in from Phil Foden was enough to secure a crucial three points away from home on Saturday, as the Blues closed the gap on Liverpool to just one point.

With the Manchester derby up next for Manchester City, Saturday’s victory will be a huge confidence boost for the Champions, as they look to achieve an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title this season.

It was an early game of cat and mouse with both sides getting a feel for the game in the opening 20 minutes, with a tame effort on goal from Phil Foden the only real early half chance.

The deadlock was broken three minutes after, when Erling Haaland fended off a defender before striking the ball at the keeper, before the ball rebounded into the path of Phil Foden who made no mistake from close range.

Despite just the one goal lead at half-time, the away side were in complete control from the first minute in the opening 45, dominating the ball and limiting Bournemouth in every sense of the word.

Haaland had a huge chance with 74 minutes on the clock which was his final action of the game, as he forced a crucial save from Neto in the Bournemouth goal, before being replaced by Julian Alvarez.

The home side began to grow in the game, carving out a couple of chances from the likes of Dominik Solanke, without finding a killer blow to deliver to the champions.

Despite the late anxiety for the away side, City managed to see the game out and earn a vital three points in the title race.

With that being said, here’s how we rated the players’ performances from the 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth today!

Back to within one of the top! 🩸🦈 pic.twitter.com/WSka1qRtVR

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 24, 2024

Player Ratings:

Ederson – 7.5

Ederson probably forgot he was playing for large periods of the first-half, but the Brazilian was called upon in the second, making a couple of crucial saves for the Sky Blues.

Manuel Akanji – 8

Bournemouth didn’t get any change down the right hand-side tonight with Akanji’s performance a large part of the reason why.

Ruben Dias – 8

Despite vomiting on the pitch early into the second-half, Dias played his part in keeping Dominik Solanke quiet this evening, a task which has proved to be no easy feat this season.

John Stones – 8

Stones had an excellent game in defence, midfield and attack on the south coast. A colossal performance yet again from the Barnsley Beckenbauer.

Nathan Ake – 8

Ake returned to his former club in style, with the Dutchman putting in another excellent shift on the left side of the City defence.

Rodrigo – 8.5

Swept near enough everything up in typical Rodri fashion. Where on earth would we be without this man?

Matheus Nunes – 7

Shown glimpses of quality before being replaced on the hour mark by Jeremy Doku.

Mateo Kovacic – 8.5

A fantastic display from Kovacic against the cherries, with some slick movement in midfield helping to control the game, with the Croatian proving to be a fine summer acquisition from Chelsea.

Bernardo Silva – 8

Another classy display on the road from Silva, with the Portuguese man pulling the strings in typical fashion.

Erling Haaland – 7

A somewhat frustrating evening for the Norwegian who was denied twice by Neto in the Bournemouth goal. Some excellent hold up play during his 75 minutes of action earn him some praise.

Phil Foden – 9 (MOTM)

Excellent in every department from Foden tonight. Silky on the ball and excellent off it, as he looks to nail down a spot in that central role. A phenomenal display from tonight’s match-winner.