Manchester City can return to the top of the Premier League table when the champions host Bournemouth this afternoon.
Phil Foden and Jack Grealish were among the Manchester City players to drop to the bench as the champions made four changes for the visit of the Cherries.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were the others to make way as Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku all came in at the Etihad Stadium.
Bournemouth restored Max Aarons, Lloyd Kelly and Marcus Tavernier to the side following their Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
OFF THE POST! Silva checks back twice, but just can’t open up space for a shot so he tees up Alvarez for a cross. He clips it into the far post and Haaland heads it down against Kelly which helps it onto the woodwork.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Doku is facing off against Mepham and times his moment perfectly, bursting past the defender with pace before trying to fizz it into the middle. Zabarnyi slides in to block it and Christie helps to clear the danger.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
CHANCE! Kovacic cuts out another attempted attack by Bournemouth before weaving his way through midfield. He lays it off to Haaland who picks out Rodri, but he curls his long-range shot well wide of the far post.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth have won none of their 18 league games against City (D2 L16), the most any side has ever faced another without winning in English Football League history.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
SAVE! Silva has three defenders in front of him, but he squeezes a pass through to Alvarez before continuing his run, drawing Bournemouth players to him. It opens space for Rodri on the edge of the box, but his low shot is held by Radu.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth work it quickly upfield, but their final ball into the box is letting them down. Christie’s cross is blocked, and when Scott tries to pick out Tavernier, he puts it straight out for a throw-in.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
CHANCE! To nobody’s surprise, City are dominating the ball, with 83 per cent possession in the first 10 minutes. Their hard work results in a corner which is pulled back to Silva just outside the box, but he fires over the bar.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
It’s better from Bournemouth’s front three here as they rush out to press City’s backline. Walker is forced backwards and he has to go all the way back to Ederson with no route forward.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Doku clips it in from the left and Haaland is claiming he’s being pushed which knocks his jump off balance. The referee is having none of it and the hosts work it out to Alvarez on the left, but he blazes his effort over the bar.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth have everybody sitting deep in their own half as City knock it around, trying to open up some space here. The hosts are staying patient as they switch it from side to side.
Source: Read Full Article