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/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F34%2Fsergio-aguero.jpg "Bournemouth 1-3 Man City - as it happened")
Here's what happened as Sports Mole provided live text coverage of the absorbing Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium.
The hosts were unable to prevent City from extending their perfect record in Premier League meetings between these sides, recording their ninth win over Bournemouth with clinical finishes in either half by Sergio Aguero and a first-half strike by Raheem Sterling.
Bournemouth threatened to repeat the 2-2 draw City were restricted to against Tottenham Hotspur last week after Harry Wilson scored a magnificent free kick just before half time, curling beyond Ederson's dive and off the post after replacing the injured Charlie Daniels.
Find out how all the action unfolded with our minute-by-minute updates below.
3.59pmIt's all over at the Vitality Stadium, where Man City have continued their unbeaten start to the season against a spirited Bournemouth side who will take encouragement from a performance against the champions that occasionally threatened to derail their perfect record in this fixture.
Close-range finishes from Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling - with his 11th against Bournemouth, the most he has scored against any side - looked to have put the visitors firmly in control, but Harry Wilson's screamer of a free-kick just before the interval rewarded the home side for a much more attacking effort than they have previously shown against City.
Wilson, on as a substitute for the injured Charlie Daniels, scored what will undoubtedly be one of the best set pieces we see this season, and his side had their tails up and a real chance until Aguero was at the double to poke in as the ball fell loose inside the penalty area after 63 minutes.
Aguero's 400th goal for club and country symbolised the difference between the two attacks we saw today. Even when they are not at their best and have to absorb pressure, City create enough chances and show sufficient clinical edge to prevail.
90+5 minBournemouth 1-3 Man City
90+4 minA vital interception by Ederson after King does well on the left hand edge of the penalty area before finding Solanke, who can't quite get the pass under control.
90+3 minAnd we're back to City strolling around at the back. This will be their ninth Premier League win against Bournemouth - a perfect record, and a seventh victory against these opponents for coach Guardiola.
90+2 minThat change illustrates the luxuries Guardiola has among his star-studded squad. They threaten a fourth goal as Sterling tries to break onto a through ball, but Ake is alert to intercept just outside the penalty area.
90+1 minMAN CITY SUB: £68m full-back Joao Cancelo replaces Kyle Walker, who was more composed after earning an early yellow card for a clumsy challenge. Four minutes of additional time are being played.
90 minMahrez surges down the right, cuts inside and teases a couple of defenders before finding Rodri on the edge of the penalty area, who can't find a way through.
88 minMore keep-ball in the middle of the park from City. The away fans are enjoying this.
87 minSolanke races inside the penalty area down the left and fires in a low shot that is easy for Ederson to clutch at his near post. The striker's effort was never going to be fierce enough to trouble the City keeper.
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Sterling celebrates his goal.
© Reuters
Sterling celebrates his goal.
85 minCity snuffle out another Bournemouth burst deep into enemy territory. The introduction of midfielder Rodri has had a calming effect in midfield.
84 minSterling has the ball in the net following a move swiftly started with a precise pass from substitute Mahrez from inside his own half. The offside flag dictates that his curled effort into the right hand corner will not count.
84 minBilling wins a corner from Otamendi down the left. Fraser's cross is less than brilliant, and City thump clear.
83 minHowe is crouching on the touchline, marker in hand, issuing tactical advice to his players on his fingers.
82 minIn customary style, City are pinging passes around inside their own half. Bournemouth's double substitution hasn't had the disruptive influence on the game they would have hoped for.
81 minNow Billing scraps for possession beyond the halfway line, conceding a foul. Charlie Daniels, taken off on a stretcher in the first half, is by the tunnel on crutches.
80 minRyan Fraser tries to spark something for Bournemouth inside the City half, but he's dispossessed. The home side's first defeat of the Premier League season is looming.
79 minMAN CITY SUB: As anticipated, Mahrez comes on. The speedy midfielder replaces Bernardo Silva, suggesting City will look to stretch the play in the final 10 minutes.
78 minThe pace of the game has calmed a little following that clinical finish by Aguero - his 400th for club and country.
77 minRiyad Mahrez, who scored the only goal of the game here last season, is being given instructions on the touchline.
76 minThe attack fizzles out for Bournemouth. The home side have had seven attempts to the reigning champions' 18, although both teams have managed five shots on target.
75 minThere's a tussle down the left by the corner flag inside the City half. Three opposition players surround Josh King in an attempt to hound him out of possession, and he wins a useful throw-in which will be taken by Steve Cook.
74 minSubstitute Solanke relieves some of the pressure for Bournemouth, winning a free-kick inside his own half. Keeper Ramsdale will take it, knowing Bournemouth need two goals in less than 20 minutes to get back into this game.
73 minCity look to attack again down the right. Steve Cook holds off Aguero at the expense of a throw-in.
72 minBilling is up, albeit rather gingerly. Howe will be relieved.
70 minIn the week, Howe suggested Bournemouth would be in trouble if they suffered any more injuries to an already depleted squad. It's bad news for the coach, then, as Billing goes down for an extended period inside his own half.
69 minBOURNEMOUTH SUB: Dominic Solanke was praised by Howe for his performance when he came on during the 2-1 win at Aston Villa last week, and he gets a second bite of the second-half cherry, coming on for Callum Wilson.
69 minBOURNEMOUTH SUB: Eddie Howe freshens up his line-up with a double substitution. First, Jordon Ibe replaces Adam Smith, who came close to scoring in the first half.
68 minBournemouth struggle to fully clear their lines before Harry Wilson wins a foul from De Bruyne.
67 minMepham accidentally stands on Sterling's left heel inside the penalty area. The striker briefly stays down, wincing, but is back up for a City corner.
66 minCity are back to rolling passes around inside and beyond their own half. That goal might have taken the wind out of Bournemouth. Perhaps Rodri's introduction has made a difference.
64 minNo surprises what happens next - a VAR check takes place to assess the validity of the goal. The City fans get to celebrate again as it's given, having not appeared in any way contentious.
63 minGOAL! Now City restore their two-goal cushion! Aguero is pivotal at the start of the move, quickest to a throw-in from the left before passing to David Silva inside the penalty area. The captain's route to goal is blocked but the rebound falls kindly for the striker, who stabs a shot into the back of the net. 3-1!
63 minBOURNEMOUTH 1-3 MAN CITY (AGUERO)
62 minNo penalty - which, as you might expect, is a decision City are unimpressed with. Kevin Friend had a look up at Stockley Park, and decided Lerma was in the clear.
61 minWe're having a VAR check here. Aguero is chatting to referee Andre Mariner, suggesting David Silva was unfairly impeded.
60 minTwo attacks down the left almost bring joy for City. Sterling reaches the byline and fires in a cross that is cleared, then does the same again seconds later, clipping the ball back into the path of David Silva, who goes down inside the penalty area.
59 minCity keep possession in their own half. They want to get back to the assured opening they enjoyed here.
58 minMAN CITY SUB: Rodri replaces Gundogan. Guardiola is presumably hoping his control and ability to dictate play will push the balance in City's favour and help to take the sting out of a lively Bournemouth side.
57 minThe visitors are lining up a change here. Guardiola clearly senses all is not completely well.
56 minCity win a free-kick down the right, just inside the Bournemouth half. Pep Guardiola will be urging his players to calm the game down and not allow Bournemouth to continue unsettling them with attempted crosses and through balls.
55 minNow the home crowd are in full voice - their side are really taking it to City. Fraser tries to find Wilson with a useful left-wing cross, and Ederson is at full stretch to come off his line and divert the ball behind.
54 minGood stuff from Bournemouth, who win a corner. Ederson claims.
53 minDe Bruyne should have scored! The midfielder combines with Aguero, indulging in a one-two before firing a venomous shot wide of Ramsdale's left hand post from inside the penalty area.
52 minExcellent save from Ederson, racing out to deny King, who outmuscles Laporte down the left.
51 minOtamendi attempts to race on to a looped Sterling pass into the right hand side of the penalty area. The pass is a touch too far for him.
50 minSterling's shot from deep inside the penalty area is blocked. It goes behind for a corner.
50 minCity attack again. Ramsdale saves from David Silva.
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Another view of Harry Wilson's spectacular goal shortly before half time.
© Reuters
Another view of Harry Wilson's spectacular goal shortly before half time.
49 minsFrom the throw-in, Bournemouth pass the ball back to Ederson, who sends City off on the attack. Sterling latches onto a pass from David Silva but is held off well by Mepham inside the penalty area, winning Bournemouth a goal-kick.
48 minBoos from the home crowd as two of today's scorers tangle. Racing back to try to win the ball inside his own half, Sterling brings down Harry Wilson, and City send the ball out of play as Wilson stays down.
47 minLaporte is down clutching his knee after Mepham clips him in the middle of the park. Speaking of knees, the unfortunate Charlie Daniels, who departed on a stretcher during the first half, is reported to have dislocated his.
46 minCity start the second half. They have not conceded more than one goal away in the Premier League since a surprise 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United in January.
3.05pm
📊
💠1-2 🔵 #BOUMCI #mancity pic.twitter.com/xoFc07QvL6— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 25, 2019
3.04pmWith Liverpool beating Arsenal 3-1 yesterday to extend their perfect record this season, City will be anxious not to drop any points here.
A repeat of their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last week would leave them four points behind the Reds, who are the only side in all four divisions to have won all their games so far.
A repeat of their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last week would leave them four points behind the Reds, who are the only side in all four divisions to have won all their games so far.
2.58pm
11 - Since the start of last season, Harry Wilson has scored more goals from outside the box than any other player in the top four tiers of English football (11 in all competitions). Laser. pic.twitter.com/9cRPpOAHTL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 25, 2019
2.56pmThat was a spectacular, unstoppable goal from Wilson - a perfect free-kick. Ederson is a towering goalkeeper but he had no chance as the ball curled beyond his reach and in off the post. Bournemouth will be buoyed by that.
2.54pmA hugely entertaining first half here, where City started strongly but certainly haven't had it all their own way.
Aguero's cool finish came at a time when they seemed utterly dominant, only for Bournemouth to miss a couple of good chances - most notably when Adam Smith should have levelled in front of goal.
Sterling, almost inevitably, then slotted his 11th goal against the Cherries, but City will rue giving Harry Wilson - on as a substitute for Charlie Daniels, who was stretchered off with a knee injury - the chance to shoot from a distance he loves. The Liverpool loanee's free-kick was the best moment of the half.
Aguero's cool finish came at a time when they seemed utterly dominant, only for Bournemouth to miss a couple of good chances - most notably when Adam Smith should have levelled in front of goal.
Sterling, almost inevitably, then slotted his 11th goal against the Cherries, but City will rue giving Harry Wilson - on as a substitute for Charlie Daniels, who was stretchered off with a knee injury - the chance to shoot from a distance he loves. The Liverpool loanee's free-kick was the best moment of the half.
2.52pmBOURNEMOUTH 1-2 MAN CITY
45+5One last chance of the half for City. Zinchenko finds Bernardo Silva on the right with a free-kick, and his centre is glanced wide by the onrushing Otamendi.
45+4Even if Bournemouth lose this match, that is a goal that will live long in the memory - and it's probably deserved given the ambition they have occasionally shown against intimidating opponents here.
45+3 minThey wouldn't have wanted the additional time to have been created as it was by Daniels' exit, but Bournemouth use it to score a fabulous goal! Substitute Wilson curls in a wonderful, inch-perfect free-kick, right into the corner of the net and beyond the dive of Ederson, off his near post.
45+3 minBOURNEMOUTH 1-2 MAN CITY (HARRY WILSON)
45+2 minBournemouth win a free-kick in a useful central position just outside the City penalty area. Harry Wilson stands over it.
45+1 minThat would have been a terrible time for Bournemouth to concede without the extended additional time we'll have here. They're beginning to foray inside the City half again.
45 minThere will be six minutes of added time following that nasty injury for Daniels.
44 minThat's a little cruel on Bournemouth, who were beginning to show signs of coming back into the match. Eddie Howe specified Sterling as the dangerman in his pre-match press conference - he admires the goal scorer, but presumably doesn't enjoy watching him torment his defenders.
43 minRaheem Sterling has his 11th goal against Bournemouth! That's more than he's scored against any other club, and it's executed with a fine finish inside the box following a flowing City move. David Silva sets it up from the right, and the striker has now netted in five successive matches.
43 minBOURNEMOUTH 0-2 MAN CITY (STERLING)
42 minCity have the ball back in midfield. A ragged passage of play allows King to harry Walker down the left just inside the City half, but the full-back wins a free-kick.
40 minBournemouth don't do enough from the corner. They are playing with plenty of verve now following a concerning opening 35 minutes.
39 minBournemouth should have scored! Otamendi makes a complete hash of defending a cross from the right, tamely chesting the ball into the path of Adam Smith right in front of goal. He wastes the gift, lashing at the half-volley, and it goes behind for a corner off Ederson's head.
38 minPromising for Bournemouth, who seem reinvigorated. The Cherries are enjoying a good passage of play in City's half.
37 minAke has arguably Bournemouth's best chance so far! He finds space right in front of goal following a long throw from the left but makes a mess of the half-volley and Ederson gathers easily. Perhaps City were caught cold by that break while Daniels received treatment.
36 minDaniels has his head in his hands as he exits the fray. Both sets of fans applaud in sympathy.
35 minNot a great sight here. Daniels is about to be taken off by a six-strong team of stretcher-bearers.
34 minLiverpool loanee Wilson, scorer of a fine goal in Bournemouth's 2-1 win at Villa last week, is indeed readying himself to come on.
33 minA stretcher is being called for. Harry Wilson, not known for acting as a replacement wing-back, is among those warming up more briskly. Eddie Howe might be forced into a tactical change here.
32 minThere's a break in play while Daniels, who scored Bournemouth's first ever Premier League goal against City, continues to receive treatment on his right knee. He's sitting up and having his ligaments checked by a concerned physio.
31 minUnfortunate for Bournemouth midfielder Daniels. He races onto a pass down the left but injures himself stretching to swing in a cross level with the penalty area.
31 minSterling has a run at the Bournemouth defence on the right but is crowded out. Bournemouth counter attack.
30 minA roar from the home crowd as Bournemouth try to build from the back. They may have had little threat so far, but they have at least had a shot on target through King's early surge and strike - one more than they managed last time City visited.
29 minGoal-scorer Aguero turns and strikes a low shot from just outside the penalty area in a central position. It rolls wide of the left hand post.
28 minCity continue to tease and probe around the edge of the Bournemouth penalty area.
27 minDavid Silva is enjoying his 400th outing for City. He tries to find Sterling with a deft through ball from just outside the penalty area in a central position, but the England striker moves a fraction too soon and the flag is up.
2.26pm
50 - Kevin De Bruyne has now made 50 assists in the Premier League, achieving this milestone in the fewest appearances of any player in the competition's history (123). Exquisite. pic.twitter.com/HMM5p2Q251
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 25, 2019
26 minDe Bruyne angles in a long pass from the left. Ramsdale collects comfortably, takes his time and tries to launch an attack down the right.
25 minCity begin to build from the back again. A familiar pattern is emerging here.
24 minBournemouth repel the danger. They'll be keen for a breather following a succession of City attacks at pace.
24 minNifty footwork by Bernardo Silva down the right, scampering to the byline and winning a throw-in deep inside the Bournemouth half.
24 minDe Bruyne fires a low shot against Ake on the edge of the Bournemouth penalty area. The home side clear, and City begin stroking passes around inside their own half again.
23 minCity's defenders exit their own penalty area rapidly, catching Bournemouth out on the offside call. Still, the home side will be pleased to have fashioned something at the other end.
22 minGood work from Wilson wins Bournemouth a throw-in down the right, level with the penalty area. Steve Cook launches a long throw towards the box but City clear emphatically.
21 minSilva showed lovely technique with the volley. Bournemouth have brief relief with a goal kick now.
20 minBournemouth defend a second ball into their penalty area poorly and David Silva draws a save from Ramsdale, who parries his strike clear. The City captain is making his 400th appearance for City today - as well as the mere matter of four Premier League titles, he has recorded 71 goals and 114 assists. Not too shabby.
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City midfielder De Bruyne attempts to part a red and blue sea.
© Reuters
City midfielder De Bruyne attempts to part a red and blue sea.
19 minThe measure of City's comfort is reflected in the possession figures, which show they have had three-quarters of the play. Not quite as much as their 82% last time, but getting there.
18 minLaporte tries to reach a through ball but Bournemouth keeper Ramsdale is off his line smartly to collect.
17 minCity are continuing to boss possession. They have won all eight of their Premier League matches against Bournemouth.
16 minCity win possession almost immediately from kick off. This could be a long afternoon for Bournemouth.
15 minA typical finish from Aguero, calmly slotting into the left hand corner from close range following a clever passage of neat passing from City. The visitors are ahead!
15 minBOURNEMOUTH 0-1 MAN CITY (AGUERO)
13 minBournemouth swing in the free-kick from the left. Ederson does better this time, punching the ball away. He's adjudged to have been fouled.
12 minAnother booking for City! Wilson bursts onto a long ball down the left and Ederson races out to send him sprawling near the byline.
11 minDe Bruyne, who was so menacing against Tottenham Hotspur last week, drifts into space down the right and wins a corner. Bournemouth clear but City regain possession in midfield.
10 minBournemouth attempt to find Callum Wilson but the striker is adjudged to have been offside.
9 minKyle Walker puts in a second reckless challenge, and this time Andre Mariner reaches for his pocket. The full-back miscontrolled the ball on a rampage into the opposition half from the right, going in late on Ake.
8 minCity are beginning to dominate, leaving Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe looking a little concerned on the touchline.
7 minCity are asserting themselves. Bournemouth clear two dangerous corners.
6 minCity almost score! Sterling races down the left and into the penalty area before cutting it back to Bernardo Silva, who fires in a shot that is deflected behind for a corner.
6 minCity are controlling possession on the halfway line in that familiar style of theirs. They had 82% of possession when they visited Bournemouth in March.
5 minNow City have their first attack. Sterling, who has an excellent scoring record against Bournemouth, scurries into the penalty area before being dispossessed.
4 minBournemouth have a free-kick in a useful position on the left inside the City half following a rash tackle by Walker. City clear.
3 minZinchenko is receiving treatment after a physical tangle with Smith. Looks nasty.
2 minBournemouth have made a bright start here, keeping the ball nicely in midfield and looking confident.
1 minAlert, bright play from Josh King, who wins the ball from Kevin De Bruyne, races forward and fires a shot into the arms of Ederson.
1 minBournemouth get us underway here at the Vitality Stadium!
1.59pmMANCHESTER CITY STARTING XI: Ederson; Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Gundogan; B Silva, De Bruyne, D Silva, Sterling; Aguero
Subs: Bravo, Angelino, Rodri, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Cancelo, Foden
Subs: Bravo, Angelino, Rodri, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Cancelo, Foden
1.58pmBOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Ramsdale; Smith, Mepham, Cook, Daniels; Ake; King, Lerma, Billing, Fraser; C Wilson
Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Rico, Surman, H Wilson, Ibe, Solanke
Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Rico, Surman, H Wilson, Ibe, Solanke
1.58pmGood afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's intriguing Premier League showdown between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium!
City have a perfect record in this fixture in the Premier League and will be intent on adding to their eight wins against the Cherries since Eddie Howe's side were promoted to the top flight, particularly after seeing Liverpool beat Arsenal yesterday evening and the frustration of being denied a win at home to Tottenham Hotspur last week when Gabriel Jesus's late winner was ruled out following a VAR review.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their opening two games, including an impressive 2-1 win at Aston Villa last time out.
Kickoff is just minutes away, so let's waste no time in having a look at the team news...
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Manchester City
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Bournemouth
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