Match Report
AFCB 1 v 2 Man City
26 August 2017
Attendance: 10,419
There wasn't a Bournemouth fane in the stadium at the end of the game who didn't think their team had not been hard done by this result. Raheem Sterling always seem to score against the Cherries and he left it late or should I say probably in overtime as it was into seven minutes of added time, when only five had been held up on the assistant referee's board. It counted though and this one was cruel on Eddie Howe's side who had set about the game with real gusto and ability, which had been missing in previous games. A supersonic left-sided run by Charlie Daniels ended with a goal of the season contending missile of a shot that rocketed AFCB into the lead on 13 minutes. Yet, quick thinking City fought back with a fast free kick that was swiftly worked to the feet of Jesus who slid the ball past Begovic to draw level eight minutes later. While Josh King came close to regaining a Bournemouth lead when he smashed a shot against City's post in the second half, the match was stolen away from Bournemouth's hard working players by Sterling's late raid.
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| AFCB and Man City at Dean Court. |
There were several changes to the Bournemouth line up. Deciding to play three at the back was certainly an inspired decision with Tyrone Mings coming into the team. Dan Gosling also joined Arter and Surman in central midfield to stave Man City of too much possession and Jermain Defoe got his first Premier League start for the Cherries.
Adam Smith was the first Bournemouth to catch the eye in winning a free kick and finding space on the right side. One of his early crossed found Josh King in a good shooting position, but the front man unfortunately mis-timed his kick.
Nathan Aké had a nervous early moment in having to get a touch back to Begovic after Kevin De Bruyne had fought his way into Bournemouth's box.
AFCB's attacking presence was evident too as Surman found himself well placed to hit a shot centrally, but didn't get a clean hit. Bournemouth won possession back well though and as everyone expected Daniels to put a cross in, he unleashed an unstoppable half volley that rose beautifully to smash its way off the underneath of the bar to nestle in the top-side, right corner, of Man City's goal. The Cherries were 1-0 up on 13 minutes and the noise from the home fans was tremendous.
City had a great chance to strike straight back with Nicolas Otamendi firing wide of the left post.
AFCB almost made it 2-0 when Surman played a cross to Defoe who stretched to make the volley but Ederson moved to his left to keep it out, before Adam Smith fired a shot back across the goal. Bournemouth were playing so well at hustling for the ball that it was as though there was only one team on the pitch.
Matters were about to change. Sterling tested Boruc's positioning with a tester of a shot that sunk into the keeper's chest. But wen Aké fouled Gabriel Jesus some 35 yards out, City took the kick so quickly that a hole opened up through the middle for Gabriel Jesus, who raced through and slid the ball past Begovic to make it 1-1 on 21 minutes.
Mike Dean was not getting any cards out despite some persistent fouling by Benjamin Mendy, holding back Adam Smith. Aké was not so lucky for a foul on Jesus that earned him the first card.
City had come alive and ridden the early shock. Gabriel Jesus had the chance to test Begovic again after a Mendy cross from the left, but he shot wide from just 10 yards out.
Steve Cook was then fully extended on getting a superb tackle from behind on Sterling. Gosling and then Minds also put in crunching tackles to keep City out of the box.
Steve Cook was then fully extended on getting a superb tackle from behind on Sterling. Gosling and then Minds also put in crunching tackles to keep City out of the box.
A misdirected pass from Aké ran straight to Otamendi, but his shot found Begovic well-positioned in the middle of the goal. De Bruyne was running matters now. Mike Dean was also letting City's subtle holding on Defoe go.
Aké had an ankle problem that he ran off. Begovic was employed again though as the half drew to a close saving twice from Fernandinho.
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| Half time score. |
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| AFCB subs warming up. |
Second half
There was a surprise that Mike Dean offered City a free kick when Otamendi lost his boot instead of a drop ball when play was stopped. But at least the free kick went over everyone's head.
Vincent Kompany received a yellow for fouling Josh King and David Silva also saw yellow for arguing about it. Arter was having a quiet game, but Josh King was just about to get everyone off their seat as Arter slid a pass to him from the left that King hit first time, driving the ball against City's left post!
AFCB's pressure continued on the hour before City subbed Bernando Silva and brought on Sergio Aguero on 65 minutes. Begovic was having to make more saves as Fernnadinho shot from 25 yards out and forced a low save from the Bournemouth keeper.
Afobe replaced Defoe on 72 minutes but City kept up the pressure with Gabriel Jesus being kept out by Steve Cook's best endeavours.
A great chance escaped Man City when Otamendi headed the ball against the post from a following corner and Begovic claimed the ball as it ran close to the goal line.
A great chance escaped Man City when Otamendi headed the ball against the post from a following corner and Begovic claimed the ball as it ran close to the goal line.
Mike Dean added another City name in the book when Mendy fouled Josh King. With Gabriel Jesus subbed for Leroy Sane, Guardiola was looking for a winner. Tyrone Mings was still making blocks and had had a fine game. Steve Cook picked up a booking and so would Mings in the last few minutes.
A dangerous position for a free kick, 25 yards out, could have been a problem but City fired it wide of the wall.
As five minutes of added time went up AFCB fans would have been content with a point. Afobe was injured and was holding his back after what looked a foul on him, but the referee ignored the foul. Lys Mousset would come on for the last few minutes as Afobe could not continue. The time the referee added on for this was crucial.
Adam Smith was then carded as Bournemouth looked to hold on.
Begovic punched a corner kick away and all looked good until Mousset was pulled up for a foul that looked a good tackle. Harry Arter was yellow carded for flinging an arm at Sterling.
King then beat a couple of players and shot well, but Ederson got down well to save.
Mousset put in what looked to be a decent tackle at first, but Mike Dean saw the clipping of Otamendi's boot as a foul. It led to a free kick that was fed down the right. Sterling and Danilo did a one-two before Sterling spotted a gap to Begovic's right. He picked the shot out that was scooped into the goal to make it 1-2.
Adam Smith was then carded as Bournemouth looked to hold on.
Begovic punched a corner kick away and all looked good until Mousset was pulled up for a foul that looked a good tackle. Harry Arter was yellow carded for flinging an arm at Sterling.
King then beat a couple of players and shot well, but Ederson got down well to save.
Mousset put in what looked to be a decent tackle at first, but Mike Dean saw the clipping of Otamendi's boot as a foul. It led to a free kick that was fed down the right. Sterling and Danilo did a one-two before Sterling spotted a gap to Begovic's right. He picked the shot out that was scooped into the goal to make it 1-2.
While the City players celebrated next to the away fans there was a pitch invasion of sorts despite the stewards' best efforts to hold the surge back. Mike Dean then showed a second yellow to Sterling for running into the away fans and he was sent off. The game had gone though and AFCB's players and fans just felt they had been cheated out of what would have been a fabulous result.
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| Man City fans celebrate. |
Summary
A great battling performance form the Cherries might not have earned any points but the team has come out of its rut. Now it looks like a side that wants to win and is going to fight for every ball. The back three worked well and Bournemouth not only competed but bossed the game in the first 20 minutes. Had they got back ahead when Josh King hit the post they would have got something out of the game - it's that thin margin that costs teams sometimes. Eddie Howe can't be displeased with this performance. It was a determined effort for 90 plus minutes. Tyrone Mings and Begovic played extremely well and Aké and Steve Cook looked happier in a back three. There are some good signs here, especially with Josh King getting back to his best and the team looking more at one in their direction efforts.
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| Tyrone Mings fitted in well in the back three. |
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| Eddie Howe said this result was anew low for him. |
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| The final score doesn't begin to tell the story. |
Begovic, A Smith, S Cook, Aké, Mings, Daniels, Gosling, Surman, Arter, King,
Defoe ((Afobe 73) Moussett 90+4)
AFCB Substitutes
Boruc, B Smith, L Cook, Fraser, Ibe, Mousset, Afobe
AFCB Ratings
Begovic 7, A Smith 7, S Cook 7, Aké 7, Mings 8, Daniels 7, Arter 5, Surman 5, Gosling 6, King 7, Defoe 6
Referee Watch: Mike Dean - dreadful performance 2/10 - never in control of the game in missing clear yellow cards or ignoring some fouls. The Cherries never tend to get many decisions from this referee.
Man City
Ederson, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Mendy, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva (Stones 90+1), Bernardo Silva (Agüero 66), Jesus (Sané 82), Sterling
City Subs
Bravo, Stones, Mangala, Y Touré, Delph, Sané, Agüero
I cringed when I saw Mike Dean's name appear on the TV screen. A two rating was generous. I would have gone with. -10 for the last foul called against Mousset.
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