City 5 Bournemouth 1
October 17th 2015 54,502
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WH Smith and the City shop
More goals for City in this easy win against Bournemouth. The absence of Aguero and Silva was hardly noticed as Sterling and Bony notched five between them and with a spot of luck Sterling might have matched Aguero's five against Newcastle. Kevin De Bruyne once again showed us how good he is and but for a couple of great saves by the keeper he might have added to the score sheet.
Mangala was at fault for the Bournemouth goal giving Murray the space and opportunity to shoot.
Sagna had to play at left back with both Clichy and Kolarov absent injured. He didn't do too badly and it was good to see Zabaleta back in action. Navas had a better game than usual and once again Fernandinho played well in midfield. Yaya Toure only played for 45 minutes - presumably we're saving him for Wednesday evening and United. I hope that the goals for Bony and Sterling will lift their confidence ready for the big games coming soon.
Full marks for the Bournemouth supporters who came in great numbers and lifted the attendance to our best of the season so far.
This was the last time we played the visitors from the South coast at home -September 8th 1998 - an evening kick-off and 2-1 win with Dickov and sub Allsop scoring for City When I checked in the programme I noticed our next game was at Macclesfield and I refereed there in 1960 when they were in the Manchester league.
First time I saw Bournemouth was in 1958 when they drew 2-2 with Norwich at Carrow Road. I was stationed in Norwich so used to watch a lot of Norwich games.
Injuries to Aguero and Silva in the international break was a concern but in came Navas and Bony and while Kompany played 60 minutes for Belgium he was kept on the bench ready for the next games.
Bournemouth had brought almost 3000 fans with them and in the early minutes City had an escape when Otamendi brought down Gosling in the box. the ref said no pen - Phew!
City managed to clear the ball and almost got a good chance in the counter attack
City tried again and when the cross from Zabaleta was diverted by Distin - that name rings a bell! .......
... Sterling scored from close range . The defender claimed he was offside but there was a defender on the line
The City players celebrated while Gosling was still having words with referee Mike Dean
A few minutes later and City scored again. Kevin started the move which ended with sub keeper Federici failing to hold the ball .....
....and Bony was on hand to score from close range. City two up and only ten minutes on the clock
The City faithful enjoyed that one
while the City players celebrate one visiting fan looks a bit down!
on 15 minutes Sterling attacks near the area and passes to....
....Kevin De Bruyne who picks his spot and shoots but the keeper saves well
After 21 minutes Bournemouth attack and Murray is given time to shoot and he beats Hart to make it 2-1
The Bournemouth fans celebrate
City manage to clear a corner
Good heavens ! Kevin has committed a foul ! Surely not!
28 minutes and Sterling takes a through pass from De Bruyne ....
Sterling beats Cook and Distin and scores an excellent goal to make it 3-1
City defend a Bournemouth corner
federici makes a brilliant save from De Bruyne
As half time approaches Hart clears with a long kick
Navas gets round the keeper but fails to beat Federici and the ball runs out to Sterling.....
...who nets to complete his hat-trick
Navas thanks Sterling after his failure to score and it's celebration time at half time and game over at 4-1
Zabaleta attacking - shooting into the side netting - and defending against O'Kane
Sterling shoots just wide
Nasri replaces Kevin De Bruyne
Surely Sterling must score - ooops the ball goes wide!
at the other end Hart has to catch a corner
Iheanacho replaces Sterling
Bony scores from the cross from Navas
Bony celebrates his second goal and it's 5-1 for City
he goes to thank his provider
In the final moments Iheanacho chips the ball over the keeper to score but the linesman incorrectly rules the goal out!
As the sun goes down on the Etihad Stadium the departing fans have had yet more home goals to enjoy as we retain top spot in the Premiership.
team:
Hart 6.5: Zabaleta 7, Otamendi 6.5, Mangala 6.5, Sagna 7: Toure 6.5 (Fernando 6.5) Fernandinho 7.5, Navas 7, Sterling 8.5 (Iheanacho) De Bruyne 8 (Nasri 6 ) Bony 8
