A weakened and slightly laboured Manchester City still managed to open a five point gap at the top of the Premier League, a warning to the rest of the competition that even with big names missing they can still keep up their scoring average of three goals per game. City do function better when David Silva is involved, however, and though the Spain midfielder only came on for the last 13 minutes it was enough to make the point.Pep Guardiola rested several key players following City’s midweek exertions against Lyon, though the home side retained enough pace to trouble Bournemouth in the form of Leroy Sané and Raheem Sterling on the flanks. The former was particularly effective in the first half of the game, regularly running on to well struck passes from Ilkay Gündogan or Oleksandr Zinchenko to find space behind Bournemouth’s flattish back five. Related: Andros Townsend stunner helps lift Crystal Palace away from danger Continue readingreadfullarticle
