THE resurrection of Jesus continued at the Etihad – to leave Bournemouth desperately looking for a miracle.
Gabriel Jesus ended a nine game goal drought when he scored against Newcastle last week – but now has three in his last three.
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David Silva opened the scoring with a free-kick
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Gabriel Jesus struck City’s second goal in a 2-1 win
It is just what Pep Guardiola needs from his Brazilian forward as he prepares for key matches against Arsenal and Real Madrid in the next three weeks.
Meanwhile Eddie Howe is getting to the stage where he needs snookers to extend the Cherries five year stay in the top flight.
They are going to require at least four points from their final two matches against Southampton and Everton to have any chance of survival.
And even that might not be enough.
Howe must have expected the worst on his long trip north – as no team have done more cherry-kicking than City.
They have won all nine Premier League meetings against Bournemouth. The four matches here at the Etihad have seen them bang in 16 goals with just two in reply.
Yet Bournemouth deserved better here. They probably created more clear cut chances here than they have done in all the others put together – but only had a late David Brooks consolation to show for it.
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City players celebrate going two-nil up
Just six minutes had gone when David Silva was fouled on the edge of the box by Jefferson Lerma and he clearly fancied the free-kick himself.
He scored a beauty against Newcastle here last week – yet he stepped up and topped it by curling home from 25 yards with that wand of a left foot.
The man they call “Merlin” managed to score just one free-kick in his first 305 league appearances for City – but now has two in a week.
Perhaps Manchester City have been missing a trick all this time….
Bournemouth had to stay in the game and they had a lucky escape when Fernandinho flashed a shot wide.
But from there they started to play their way back into the game as City slipped off the pace.
Pep Guardiola’s players looked as if they celebrated the Champions League reprieve they got from the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday a bit too heartily.
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Man City were awarded a penalty before VAR intervened
To be fair though they have nothing to play for in the league now with the runners-up spot already secure.
Bournemouth came so close to equalising as Dominic Solanke, the two goal hero against Leicester on Sunday, was carelessly clipped on the edge of the box by Nicolas Otamendi.
Junior Stanilas struck the free-kick which was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Ederson. The Brazilian had a bit of luck as it cannoned off the upright back onto his head but then dropped wide.
Another chance came as Dan Gosling got in down the right and squared for Solanke whose goalbound shot was deflected over by Otamendi with Ederson stranded.
From the resulting corner Philip Billing got up highest and planted a free header over the bar.
You can’t waste chances like that here and so it proved as City went up the other end and extended their lead.
This time Silva turned creator as he found Gabriel Jesus in the box. The forward weaved through a clutch of defenders before firing low past Aaron Ramsdale.
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David Brooks scored for the Cherries late on
It was heart-breaking for the Cherries – who did not deserve to be two down – but that’s what this City side can do to you.
As for Silva, that was the 93rd Premier League assist of his career – only Wayne Rooney, Dennis Bergkamp and Ryan Giggs have made more.
Jesus could have had a penalty soon afterwards as Lerma brought him now but surprisingly neither referee Lee Mason nor the VAR gave it.
Just before the hour, Stanislas turned again on the right and sent over a low cross that was turned in by King but the linesman flagged for offside. VAR showed he was right – but only just.
Ederson then pushed a cross straight to the feet of Gosling but Ilkay Gundogan got in the way to block his effort.
City thought they had another penalty when Silva rolled the ball to Jesus who looked to be chopped down by Steve Cook.
Ref Mason pointed to the spot but the VAR spotted the Cherries skipper got the slightest touch on the ball and over-ruled the decision.
Two subs combined as Callum Wilson crossed for David Brooks to tap home with a couple of minutes left of normal time.
Brooks became the first opposition player to score here since January – a nice moment for the wide man who spent 10 years coming through the ranks at City.
Wilson, twice, and Lerma both had chances too as City’s goal led a charmed life. It was a brave effort – but at this stage that is not enough for the Cherries.
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