MAN CITY 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH: REPORT

Raheem Sterling inspired Manchester City to yet another win as they beat Bournemouth 3-1 at the Etihad.

Goals from Bernardo Silva, Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan ensured Callum Wilson's first-half leveller didn't count for much.

Sterling has now scored in all six of his Premier League appearances against Bournemouth; becoming the first English player to do this in his first six games against a particular team.

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HOW IT HAPPENED

Bournemouth came to the Etihad and didn't seem too fazed, despite the caliber of opponents they were up against.

However, the quality from City was too much and the quality showed early on, when Leroy Sane's initial shot was saved by Asmir Begovic, but Bernardo Silva was there to smash home the rebound.

City then looked in the ascendancy, creating chance after chance, but once Bournemouth rode the wave, they soon were back in the game.

Simon Francis' perfect cross found Wilson, who headed home in a clinical fashion to give Eddie Howe's side a deserved but unexpected equaliser.

After the restart, City's quality showed and Bournemouth couldn't cope with it.

After some link-up between Danilo and Sterling, the former's shot was parried away by Begovic, but Sterling followed up to give the champions the lead.

David Silva was then introduced for City, and he had an immediate impact. His ball to Sane on the left-hand side, was met perfectly by the German, who found his compatriot Gundogan for an easy tap-in.

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THE MANAGERS

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola:

"It was a good win. After the Champions League it is always tough. People think it's easy for us but that is not the truth, so I like to win in this way.

"We were flat but after we were more aggressive and we changed the game. I asked them for more at half-time but the first five minutes was no good, they didn't listen. But one action from Raheem Sterling changed the game.

"Leroy Sane was fantastic too. We don't expect every 90 minutes to have an incredible performance. Sometimes it happens. It is a lesson we have to learn, how to win when we are tired."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe:

"We nullified them for long periods and had moments ourselves when the ball could have bounced our way. It was a good time to score, right on half-time.

"We haven't done enough defensively and weren't clinical enough in attack. We have an honest group of players and I can't fault them at all.

"The three goals we conceded were scrappy - they didn't cut through us with beautiful football and we kick ourselves for that.

"Our plan worked. We're frustrated because we had good counter-attacks - the ball just didn't bounce our way. This is the closest we have come here."