BOURNEMOUTH, England (REUTERS) - Substitute Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal as Manchester City beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday (March 2) to return to the top of the Premier League.
The home side showed champions City plenty of respect in the opening 45 minutes, defending deep and forcing their opponents to probe patiently for openings, and they conceded little in the way of goalscoring chances.
City manager Pep Guardiola was forced to replace the injured Kevin De Bruyne with Mahrez at halftime, and he was quickly followed by defender John Stones, who was substituted early in the second half with a thigh problem.
The visitors continued to probe and their patience finally paid off when David Silva teed up Mahrez, who lashed home a shot with his right foot to break the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half.
Bournemouth were unable to raise their game and goalkeeper Artur Boruc pulled of a number of fine saves.
He was quick off his line to thwart a breakaway attempt by Raheem Sterling and Aguero clipped the underside of the crossbar before Boruc beat away a close-range header from Mahrez.
"We made one of the best performances we have played. They were very organised, but they didn't have one shot. We created a few chances. People should understand how difficult it is to attack 11 (defending) players," Guardiola said.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was disappointed to see his side's defensive efforts undone by what he termed an "ugly" goal.
"You want to be competitive and that was the way for us to make the game tight, show toughness and mentally hang in. The only frustration is their goal was ugly, which is very unlike them," he said.
The win put City top on 71 points, two ahead of Liverpool who face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday. Bournemouth, who have lost four of their last five, remained 12th on 34 points.
Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur recently revealed that they are going to Singapore and Shanghai during the summer as they prepare for the 2019-20 campaign. According to the club website
Tottenham confirms Singapore stop during pre-season tour
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad Sociedad had given Barca an early fright in the corresponding fixture back in September before losing out and the Basques again held
Football: Barca put one hand on title after edging past
In the dying minutes of Iran's 3-0 defeat to Japan on Monday, striker Sardar Azmoun slapped Japan midfielder Gaku Shibasaki in the face, sparking a melee that also involved his teammates Ehsan Hajsafi and Ramin Rezaeian. Ali Motahari, deputy speaker in Iran's parliament, called for them to be disciplined.
"Premier League clubs will represent these views at the European Club Association meeting in Malta on Thursday and Friday (6 and 7 June)." Outgoing Premier League boss Richard Scudamore has previously spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek to express his concerns about what such changes could do to the game.
EPL clubs opposed to European changes - straitstimes.com
Hot Spurs
Report Ad
Free UK Delivery on Eligible Orders
Norwich are promoted after beating Blackburn 2-1. Sheffield United are promoted (not mathematically but goal difference makes it impossible) after beating Ipswich 2-0. The play offs will consist of Leeds, West Brom, Aston Villa and most likely Derby but possible Bristol City or Middlesbrough instead
[EPL]Congrats to Norwich and Sheffield United for getting
Man Utd's 6-1 loss to Man City is my 'worst ever day' - Sir Alex Ferguson. 24 Oct 2011; The warning signs have been there for Manchester United in home games against Chelsea, Basle and even
Manchester United vs Watford highlights and reaction as Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford score. Man Utd beat Watford in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game in charge as permanent manager with
Football: Solskjaer unimpressed as 'sloppy' United avoid
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 9, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble
Football: Liverpool back on top after 3-0 win over Bournemouth
Premier League: Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa Arrizabalaga shines Description: Eden Hazard was the catalyst with an incisive run into the Fulham area, the Belgian laying the ball back to the Jorginho, who guided a superb strike into the top corner from 18 yards.
Premier League: Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa
England's Ross Barkley scores their second goal during Euro 2020 Group A qualifier match between Montenegro and England at Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro, March 25, 2019. England recovered from an early scare in Montenegro as Ross Barkley scored twice in a clinical 5-1 victory to continue their strong start to the Euro 2020
England thrash Montenegro 5-1 after early scare - YouTube
'Expired' Molde deal to ease way for Solskjaer Related Story Football: Solskjaer has restored United's culture and identity, says former treble teammate Schmeichel
Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired
0 comments:
Post a Comment