Manchester City stretch advantage with a hard-fought win over Bournemouth

Manchester City had to work hard to see off a determined Bournemouth side before Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan secured the win (3-1) that sends them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

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.

Pep Guardiola: "In the first half it was flat, a lack of rhythm. We are good when we're playing one way, the other way everyone can beat us. But in the second half the action from Raheem and Fabian Delph helped us to take our rhythm, and the second half was much better."

Eddie Howe: "We had moments and unfortunately for us the three goals we conceded were out of context with the game and were scrappy. They weren't goals where they cut through us with beautiful football and you kick yourself for that."