Foden goal helps Manchester City stay on Liverpool's heels

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Guardiola: Foden has gone from a little boy to world class

Pep Guardiola praises Phil Foden after Man City's 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Updated: Feb 24, 2024, 03:22 pm

Manchester City secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday as Phil Foden's goal moved them within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Foden converted from close range in the 24th minute after good work by Erling Haaland and it proved enough for Pep Guardiola's side in a difficult game.

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The hosts looked capable of an equaliser after the break when Marcus Tavernier had two decent opportunities and Enes Ünal headed just wide at the death.

City have 59 points from 26 games with Liverpool, who play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, on 60.

Phil Foden's goal allowed Manchester City to keep pace with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Marc Atkins/Getty Images

The mark of champions is to accumulate victories even with sub-standard performances and City have proved masters of that in claiming three successive Premier League titles.

Guardiola's side lacked their usual fluency but still stretched their unbeaten league run to 11 games with a second successive 1-0 victory, after a midweek win over Brentford.

"The players surprise me every time, the character, always competitive when they are tired," Guardiola said.

"Winning 0-5 is not a reality. Hopefully we can have a week off soon to rest the legs."

Erling Haaland still looked short of his best form after returning from injury and missed an early opportunity when he fired wide with the sort opportunity he usually converts.

But City have plenty of other match-winners, not least Foden who once again displayed his increasingly influential role in the team as he poached his ninth league goal of the season.

Haaland showed great strength to roll his marker and get a shot off that home keeper Neto did well to keep out but the ball fell to Foden who coolly turned in the rebound.

Shortly before that, City keeper Éderson was forced into a save from Milos Kerkez's dipping effort.

City could not build on their lead after the break, however, and Bournemouth, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, pinned them back as Tavernier twice went close and leading scorer Dominic Solanke also had a good opportunity.

Bournemouth's best chance fell to substitute Ünal as his header skidding off the turf and inches wide of the post.

Bournemouth are without a win in their last seven league matches and are eight points above the relegation zone in 14th place in the table.