Football news - Raheem Sterling strikes as Manchester City put three past Bournemouth

Manchester City stretched their advantage at the top of the Premier League table with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Bournemouth.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s side, who were missing Sergio Aguero, hold a five-point lead over Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby, with their perfect home record still intact. But City were made to work for this victory.

They took the lead after just 15 minutes, with Bernardo Silva, back from injury, finishing on the rebound after Asmir Begovic had smothered a shot from Leroy Sane. But Bournemouth equalised just before the break when Callum Wilson powered a header past Ederson.

And the Cherries started the second half positively, but it was City who regained the lead through Raheem Sterling, finishing high into the roof of the net on another rebound. And Ilkay Gundogan capped the performance with a straightforward finish from close range after good work from David Silva and Sane down the left.

The big talking point ahead of this match was the absence of Aguero from the matchday squad, with the Argentinean striker rested. Silva was also on the bench. On this basis, City need the latter more than they need the former. They fared well without Aguero, but they lacked the creativity and invention of Silva until the Spaniard was introduced off the bench. It was with his introduction that the match swung in City’s favour. Aguero and Silva are arguably City’s two greatest players in their history, but one is more influential than the other.

Is Sterling in the form of his life? There’s certainly a case to be made. This wasn’t a vintage display from Man City, but Sterling was their bright spark throughout. It always seemed likely that the winger would provide a match-defining moment, and so it turned out. He could have added to his tally, also hitting the post with an effort following a mazy dribble into the box, but Sterling can be pleased with his contribution.

Manchester City: Ederson 5, Danilo 7, Otamendi 5, Laporte 6, Zinchenko 7, Fernandinho 6, Gundogan 7, Bernardo 7, Sterling 8, Jesus 6, Sane 7. Subs - Silva 7, Delph 6, Mahrez.

Bournemouth: Begovic 5, Francis 6, Cook 6, Ake 6, Mings 5, Daniels 4, Surman 5, Cook 6, Fraser 5, King 7, Wilson 8. Subs - Stanislas 5, Mousset 5, Brooks 5.

15’ GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Bournemouth: There's the opener and it's Bernardo who grabs it on his return to fitness! It was a great ball over the top from Zinchenko, Begovic came out to stop Sane's shot, but then Bernardo was on hand to lash home the finish on the rebound.

38’ Chance for Wilson! That's the closest Bournemouth have come to a goal! The delivery into the box from King was a good one, but Wilson just couldn't stretch far enough to divert the ball into the net.

44’ GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Bournemouth: That goal had been coming! Bournemouth have an equaliser at the Etihad! Francis whipped the cross into the Man City penalty area and Wilson got up highest to power a header past Ederson! What a header that was!

54’ Off the woodwork! What a run from Sterling! He dribbled three Bournemouth defenders, he gets the shot away, but it comes back off the base of the post via a deflection.

57’ GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth: City have regained the lead! Danilo let fly from the right side, Begovic made the save, but could only parry back out into the middle and Sterling was on hand to force home the rebound, finding the roof of the net.

79’ GOAL! Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth: And that should be that. Neat link up play between Silva and Sane sees the German winger cut the ball back to Gundogan in the middle. He was waiting for the pass and all he had to do was finish into the gaping net.