Phil Foden gave Manchester City a hard-fought 1-0 win at Bournemouth as Pep Guardiola’s champions closed to within a point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, with this City’s game in hand on their rivals, and they were made to suffer during a torrid second half when Bournemouth pressed relentlessly for an equaliser.
Next up for City in the Premier League is a home derby against Manchester United before a potentially decisive trip to Anfield. Although the form book reads eight wins out of nine and 11 unbeaten in the top flight, you sense Guardiola’s men might have to locate some extra gears over the coming month.
Bournemouth vs Man City final score
| Fulltime | Goalscorers | |
| Bournemouth | 0 | |
| Man City | 1 | Foden 24' |
Lineups:
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Neto (GK) — 15. Adam Smith, 27. Illia Zabarnyi, 25. Marcos Senesi (8. Romain Faivre), 3. Milos Kerkez (17. Luis Sinisterra) — 10. Ryan Christie (26. Enes Unal), 4. Lewis Cook — 24. Antoine Semenyo, 19. Justin Kluivert (14. Alex Scott), 16. Marcus Tavernier (11. Dango Ouattara) — 9. Dominic Solanke.
Man City (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Ederson (GK) — 25. Manuel Akanji, 5. John Stones, 3. Ruben Dias, 6. Nathan Ake — 16. Rodri, 8. Mateo Kovacic (17. Kevin De Bruyne) — 21. Bernardo Silva, 47. Phil Foden, 27. Matheus Nunes — 9. Erling Haaland (19. Julian Alvarez).
MORE: Why Erling Haaland is an inspiration to Man City's breakthrough star Oscar Bobb
Erling Haaland botched a ninth-minute chance when he was sent clear by Foden’s cute volleyed pass, only to blaze wide on his weaker right foot.
The roles were reversed when Haaland spun Marcos Senesi to retrieve Mateo Kovacic’s chipped through ball. Neto saved the striker’s bouncing shot but Foden was on hand to sweep home the rebound.
Available in the US
Phil Foden tucks away Haaland's rebound, and Man City have their breakthrough!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 24, 2024
📺 @nbc & @Peacock | #BOUMCI pic.twitter.com/1RMjMMlyWN
Available in the UK
Foden pounces and Man City lead! 💥 pic.twitter.com/A8pKy6zjoJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 24, 2024
Bournemouth were restricted to attempts from distance as Ederson saved sharply from recalled left-back Milos Kerkez and Ryan Christie before the break. It was a different story in an end-to-end second half that turned in the hosts’ favour the longer it went on.
Ruben Dias cleared out of the goalmouth to deny Marcus Tavernier after Antoine Semenyo burned past former Bournemouth skipper Nathan Ake down the City left. Dominic Solanke then held up play with Dias in close attendance for Tavernier to shoot wide.
Jeremy Doku replaced Matheus Nunes to give City more attacking bite but Ederson took evasive action in the 67th minute, saving Solanke’s near-post header from a Tavernier's left-wing corner.
The combination of a sliding challenge from Zabarnyi and a fine Neto save thwarted Haaland in his last act of the game as he made way for Julian Alvarez.
Seven minutes from time, Bournemouth substitute Dango Ouattara got in behind City but his cross was beyond Semenyo, who might have had a tap-in. Ouattara took the next attack on himself and dragged a shot wide.
There was almost a cinematic final twist as Enes Unal, who was on City’s books between 2015 and 2017 but never played a game as he existed as a loanee, headed wide on his Cherries debut. Guardiola held his breath and his players held on for three precious points.
MORE: Arsenal vs Newcastle live score, result, updates, highlights, lineups from Premier League match
Bournemouth vs. Man City lineups, team news
Jack Grealish made a surprise return to the City bench alongside Kevin De Bruyne, whose hamstring is still being carefully managed. As a consequence, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic started in tandem in midfield.
Man City XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Akanji, Stones, Dias, Ake — Nunes, Rodri, Kovacic — Silva, Haaland, Foden.
Man City subs: Ortega (GK), Walker, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Gomez, Bobb, Lewis.
Andoni Iraola has not offered any new updates to his injury list with Philip Billing serving the final game of a three-match suspension. Milos Kerkez replaces Lloyd Kelly at left-back
Bournemouth XI (4-2-3-1 right to left): Neto (GK) — Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez — Christie, Cook — Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier — Solanke.
Bournemouth subs: Radu (GK), Mepham, Faiver, Ouattara, Scott, Sinisterra, Unal, Kinsey-Wellings.
Bournemouth vs. Man City live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | NBC USA Network, Universo | Fubo, Peacock, Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC Sports App |
| Canada | — | |
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League | Sky GO, Now TV |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports 3 Asia | JioTV, Hotstar |
USA: This game is available on the USA Network with streaming options on Fubo and Peacock. Telemundo and Universo provide Spanish language options.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live-streaming exclusively via Fubo.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on-demand on Optus Sport.
UK: This game is available for live broadcast via Sky Sports with streaming options on Sky GO and Now TV.
India: Star Sports have the rights to telecast Premier League matches in India, while the action can be streamed on JioTV and Hotstar.
