Bournemouth 1-4 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola hails ‘outstanding’ team spirit after ending tough week with big win | Soccer News

Pep Guardiola has praised the “distinctive” temper of his Manchester Metropolis gamers after they stayed on the heels of Arsenal within the Premier League title race by beating Bournemouth.

Metropolis ran out of comfy 4-1 winners on the Vitality Stadium, having successfully secured victory on the finish of a primary half through which they struck thrice by means of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden and upgraded the hosts.

“I am very proud of what I see on daily basis,” Guardiola stated. “The environment within the locker room is outstanding, the coaching periods are actually good. Everybody helps one another.

Chris Mepham added to Bournemouth’s woes with an personal aim shortly after the break.

It was a scientific show of Metropolis’s ending which appeared to attain each time they attacked, because the hole to leaders Arsenal was diminished to 2 factors after the Gunners’ victory earlier on Saturday.

It was a primary win in three for the champions, who dropped two factors at Nottingham Forest of their final league outing earlier than drawing the Champions League spherical of 16 draw towards RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

There have been no such difficulties for Guardiola’s aspect on the south coast as they returned to profitable methods with effectivity and magnificence to remain on Arsenal’s path.

Guardiola added: “It is troublesome as a result of we performed lots of away video games final month. No restoration, three days between video games, large strikes. Numerous stress, bodily demanding.

“Immediately we got here right here and behaved the best way we behaved. It made me really feel like we all the time needed to try to strive. We are going to attempt to struggle for this Premier League, I’ve little doubt.”

Pep: Gamers in bother if they do not greet supporters

Even at 4-0 within the second half, Metropolis’s gamers may very well be seen preventing laborious to attempt to protect their clear sheet.

Prime scorer Haaland, whose first-half strike took his aim to 27 within the league and inside seven objectives of the all-time Premier League file for a season, was among the many gamers who gave as much as clear the ball as Bournemouth threatened with a scramble goalmouth.

Guardiola stated he anticipated no much less from his gamers of their responsibility to the staff’s supporters, who had traveled from Manchester.

“The gamers could have issues if they do not,” the supervisor stated. “They are going to be in bother. When the followers come 5 or 6 hours of their vehicles, purchase a ticket, with our salaries, we have now to run whether or not it is 3-0, 4-0, 5-0.

“It seems like I am a demagogue, but it surely’s the reality. You may be good or dangerous. However the effort at this membership whereas I am right here won’t ever be doubtful.

“We see the faces how blissful they’re once we win. You produce a great feeling in individuals, households. Inform me anything that may be higher than that. Our away supporters are wonderful.”

O’Neil: Numerous positives in second half

Jefferson Lerma’s late strike gave the house followers a second of pleasure after 83 minutes, but it surely was the day for champions.

Bournemouth supervisor Gary O’Neil felt his aspect had finished effectively however have been undone by particular person errors which proved pricey.

“Not passing them twice in our half would have been good,” O’Neil stated. “I assumed the efficiency was respectable. We have been punished for just a few errors.

“I assumed we have been on the entrance foot. Other than the rating, I assumed it was uncomfortable for Man Metropolis.

“I believe we tried very well, however we have been closely punished for just a few errors. We did not profit from our alternatives. There have been lots of causes to be constructive.”

Man Metropolis should keep in Arsenal’s wake

Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp:

“More often than not while you lose to Manchester Metropolis there’s high quality of their objectives, however they have been clumsy tonight. Zemura was solely eager about going ahead whereas Billing was additionally sloppy for the sport. one of many objectives.

“Groups punish you at this stage. The third earlier than half-time killed Bournemouth. Gary O’Neil might imagine it is not the worst outcome on the earth, they usually deserved their aim, however Pep Guardiola will know that this are three very important factors.

“It’s important to keep in Arsenal’s wake and it’s important to maintain asking the query. It is a large win.”

How Lewis helped free Gundogan

Is Metropolis’s cloak of invincibility falling? It was requested final week. We puzzled if Pep Guardiola not had a harmonious wardrobe.

When the cracks appeared in title rivals earlier than, Metropolis kicked into excessive gear. Not this season. They’re those who left the door ajar. It isn’t town we’re used to.

In order that they got here to Vitality Stadium to take the factors and rating one on the identical time. Three unanswered first-half objectives from Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden blew Bournemouth aside.

After a winless midweek in Europe, Pep Guardiola’s aspect gave the reply they needed. Definitely in view of the primary 80 minutes of this match. Pep, all the time a perfectionist, will probably be disillusioned to lose a clear sheet so late.

Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the Leipzig recreation by means of sickness, was solely match sufficient for the substitutes’ bench – but it surely was using Rico Lewis that allowed Ilkay Gundogan to determine this recreation earlier than the break.

Lewis hasn’t began a recreation, or been used in any respect, since Metropolis have been crushed at Tottenham earlier this month, but it surely was his means to chop inside that may enable the license de Gundogan to float ahead – like De Bruyne – and trigger a lot injury. .

Lewis stated: “I discovered my rhythm shortly and tried my finest. Pep simply tells me to play my regular recreation however asks me to go inside alongside Rodri, to offer us extra midfield management.

“It is about getting the ball again in transition. It is good that he desires to play me and trusts me, it is as much as me.”

Foden assisted with a aim and an help within the first half, as did Haaland – on 27 PL objectives which surpasses Sergio Aguero as essentially the most in a single PL season for Metropolis – with 13 video games nonetheless to play . Nice moments for excellent gamers.

Foden’s solely different aim for the reason that World Cup got here within the convincing 4-0 win over Chelsea within the FA Cup third spherical. For Haaland, it was simply his second in his final seven video games to quell the noise about whether or not Metropolis have been getting the perfect out of him. Metropolis tackle Newcastle subsequent on the Etihad – it is such as you’re within the hunt for the title.

Bournemouth are to keep up a correspondence in April

Bournemouth have been with out the injured Marcus Tavernier and the hosts missed out on the winner of final week’s recreation towards Wolves. But it surely will not be in video games like these that their Premier League standing will probably be determined.

Gary O’Neil introduced Chris Mepham into the squad in what was the one change from the Cherries’ victory at Molineux, however on the identical day his nation have been crushed by England on the Six Nations, Welshman Mepham confronted a baptism of fireplace – his personal aim made a scorching evening for the centre-back worse.

Jefferson Lerma diminished the arrears late together with his first aim since October – and O’Neil underlined the constructive of drawing the sport within the second half.

“When it comes to effort and energy and response to the recoil, we have been forward,” he stated. “You would really feel the followers have been on board with the type of efficiency we placed on.

“We simply fell a bit brief towards an excellent staff. It was an fascinating take a look at for them at half time since you really feel the sport is over.

“The second half needed to be a solution and we confirmed the world we did. The fourth aim may have killed the boys however we nonetheless created probabilities.

“I am disillusioned we did not rating just a few extra factors. Once you’re a participant you may replicate on these video games and see the extent Metropolis are at. There’s lots of issues I will take from at this time. at this time and construct on the positives.”

O’Neil is aware of the character of this break up means his staff wants to begin racking up extra factors, although. Bournemouth have gained simply one in all their 9 Premier League video games for the reason that World Cup break, dropping six occasions, with their accrued 5 factors in that spell lower than every other aspect.

They face an important month of April with fixtures towards Southampton, West Ham and Leeds – these are the video games that can determine whether or not or not they keep within the Premier League.

And after?

from Bournemouth the following match is at title-seeking Arsenal on Saturday; kick off 3 p.m. On the aspect of Gary O’Neil then host liverpool Saturday, March 11; kick off 12:30 p.m.

Manchester Metropolis will now concentrate on the FA Cup, the place they’ll face a visit to Metropolis of Bristol Tuesday; kick off 8 p.m. Pep Guardiola’s aspect then welcome the 4 finest hopes Newcastle SATURDAY; kick off 12:30 p.m.