Mahrez Strike Sends City Top!!!
Algerian Winger Riyad Mahrez climbed off the bench to score the only goal of the game as City beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality stadium. Mahrez came on as a sub for injured Kevin De Bruyne and bagged a priceless winner ten minutes after the restart to send City back to the top of the league for at least 24 hours before Liverpool play their next fixture against Everton.
The first half was a bit dull due to Bournemouth overloading their defense after naming a total of 6 defenders in their starting line up against City. It was more like an attack vs defense training session with Bournemouth pretty much camped in their 18 yard box making life difficult for City as there was no space to operate.
The best chance fell to David Silva as Bernardo found De Bruyne on the right side of the box and his low cross fell for El Mago but he side-footed his effort wide from 10 yards. Things started to slightly open up as the Sky Blues started to create some half chances and Nicolas Otamendi would have shocked the whole world if he had been able to convert his spectacular overhead kick but the Argentine center back sent his effort over the top.
Then came the heart breaking moment for every Cityzen around the world as Kevin De Bruyne pulled up with a hamstring injury (not officially confirmed at this moment) after he played a through pass just before half time and he could be out for a while again. Kevin was then replaced by today's hero Riyad Mahrez and the Algerian wasted no time making his mark after delivering a corner which caused some scrambles in the Bournemouth penalty area but City were again crowded out by a resolute Bournemouth defense.
John Stones also came off the pitch to be replaced by captain Vincent Kompany due to a minor injury. Tiny gaps began to open up as City began to turn up the heat and on 55 minutes at last came the break through. Zinchenko's dinked pass to Silva was nudged into the path of Mahrez who hit it low past Artur Boruc and bang City were in front.
Bournemouth then abandoned their initial park the bus tactic and inducted a more adventurous tactic and this just opened up space for Man City to operate and so they did. City quickly counter attacked and Bernardo released Sterling who fired a low shot which was well saved by Boruc. Sterling then teed up Aguero who saw his effort saved by Boruc. Jack Simpson's mistake would have resulted into another goal if not for the intervention of Artur Boruc again to deny Sterling and Mahrez then skied the rebound.
Aguero also tried something spectacular as he saw his deft cross-cum-shot tipped unto the cross-bar by Boruc. Boruc then saved another effort from Mahrez keeping the scores 1-0 and surely Bournemouth would be the happier side after this game.
Star Man: Oleksandr Zinchenko
Another impressive display from the Ukrainian as he totally bossed that left side.
