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Attendance: 54,270
Manchester City logo
Premier League
Dec 23, 2017 at 3pm UK
 
Bournemouth logo

4-0

Aguero (27', 79'), Sterling (53'), Danilo (85')
FT(HT: 1-0)

John Stones, David Silva back in Manchester City training

Manchester City duo John Stones and David Silva return to training ahead of Saturday's meeting with Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City duo John Stones and David Silva have returned to training ahead of Saturday's meeting with Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

Centre-back Stones has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring against Leicester City in November, while Spanish midfielder Silva missed last weekend's win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The recovery of both players comes at an important time, as Pep Guardiola's side look to maintain the defence of their 11-point Premier League lead throughout the Christmas period.

Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, who were the subjects of strong challenges in last weekend's defeat of Spurs, are not injured and Guardiola has said that is important that referees protect players.

"I don't believe the players go to injure another one - it is impossible to think that - but the football is quick, fast and aggressive and the refs have to follow the rules," the Spaniard told the Daily Mail.

"Everybody is squealing about diving here. If they want to punish those who are diving, it's OK but the main thing the ref has to do is protect the players.

"Always we are aggressive and sometimes we get injured. All the teams want to win and want to fight in the best way. I have no doubts that Dele Alli and Harry Kane are top-team players. I am not suspicious or thinking they are dangerous players."

City go into their game against the Cherries looking for a 17th consecutive league win.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


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