Bournemouth 0-1 Man City – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Phil Foden puts the champions ahead

This could be a concern for Bournemouth.

Dominic Solanke and Mateo Kovacic came together in the middle of the pitch and the striker has emerged worse off.

He took a blow to the knee and is hobbling a little gingerly.

Here is how the champions took the lead on the south coast.

City’s away section are in superb voice.

Unsurprisingly, they’re taking every moment they can to mock Manchester United, who lost at home to Fulham earlier.

It’s been all City since the goal. They’re stroking the ball around patiently and a lull has descended around the stadium.

Almost for Bernardo Silva! City smell blood now.

Rodri’s effort from the edge of the box was deflected out to Silva, who looked to bend one into the far corner with aplomb.

Neto scrambled across but fortunately for him, the shot went wide.

These are nervy moments for Bournemouth now.

They committed high again and City looked for the run of Erling Haaland in behind, with Bernardo Silva overcooking his pass.

The hosts need to ride these next few minutes or so out.

There’s the breakthrough and it’s the champions that are ahead!

Erling Haaland made a superb run off the shoulder of Marcos Senesi and the ball was floated perfectly over the top to him.

He used his formidable strength to get a shot away and Neto could only parry across the face of goal.

Following up, Phil Foden tapped into the empty net.

That’s all it takes for City to plant that dagger in.

Phil Foden drifted into a good position outside the area and fired a low effort toward goal, but Neto got down quickly and held on.

Both sides feel as though they’re still working each other out.

It’s a man-for-man press for Bournemouth, but all it will take is one slightly mistimed run for City to break through at speed.

One of Andoni Iraola’s coaches, Pablo de la Torre, has been booked.

He’s certainly got a reputation for touchline antics.

I’m not quite sure what the card was for but the referee was certainly pointing at him. He’s sat back quietly in his seat now.

Bang. Wallop. Big tackle from Adam Smith on Matheus Nunes.

Some members of City’s bench were right behind that challenge and weren’t happy, but a free-kick was awarded.

Smith looked baffled with the decision. It looked strong but fair to me.

That was odd from Ederson, who looked to bowl the ball out by instead struck Ryan Christie with an errant throw.

Luckily for him, the ball deflected into the air and he claimed.

Christie staying that high is a statement of Bournemouth’s intent.

Save from Ederson! Bournemouth looked to hit back straight away.

They worked the ball across to Milos Kerkez on the edge of the box and to the left, and the full back opted to try his luck.

His shot had plenty of dip and power, forcing the goalkeeper to backpedal slightly and palm it over the crossbar.

Huge chance for Erling Haaland… but he missed!

City cut their way through the hosts with just a few passes, with Phil Foden taking the ball down beautifully and playing the striker in.

Neto narrowed the angle slightly and Haaland, who couldn’t quite catch his strike sweetly, hacked wide of the far post with his right foot.

Big let-off for Bournemouth.

A nervy moment or two for Nathan Ake, there.

Bournemouth squeezed City down this near side and forced them to shuttle back to their box, before two players pressed the left back.

It looked as if he had run out of time, but he did very well to keep his composure and thread a pass through the middle.

As expected, Bournemouth are looking to press very high up.

City are so comfortable in possession, however, meaning the hosts must be bang at it with their triggers and movements.

No chances of note at either end yet.

We’re underway! Man City have got us going.

A trumpet blared out the ‘Great Escape’ theme before kick-off, a nod toward the most significant chapter in the history of the home side.

Haven’t heard that one before at the Vitality. Will it stir a reaction?

The teams are out at Vitality Stadium.

It’s a decent atmosphere.

Who takes the points? Let us know your predictions!

Scott Parker has liked what he’s seen from his former club this season and believes they’re moving in the right direction under Andoni Iraola.

He’s part of Sky Sports’ punditry team this afternoon.

As usual, the fashion is on point. That cardigan is great.

Parker took Bournemouth into the Premier League during his tenure, which came to an end after the 9-0 defeat by Liverpool last season.

After the afternoon’s results, it’s as you were for these two sides.

Man City are second, four points behind Liverpool. A win today would close that gap to just one point and continue this epic title tussle.

If they lose or draw, Arsenal can leapfrog them later on.

As for Bournemouth, they’re 13th, eight points above the drop zone.

There were some shock results in the 3pm kick-offs this afternoon!

I won’t spoil anything here but click below to have a look.

My only hint: Erik ten Hag, it’s not looking good.

The warm-ups are underway at Vitality Stadium.

The likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden are being put through their paces on the pitches, with around 25 minutes to go until kick-off.

How is everyone feeling? Let’s get some score predictions!

For me, it’s a narrow City win – but we shall see…

I have absolutely no idea what has made Pep Guardiola react like this.

He’s either having a laugh in the dugout or is genuinely frustrated.

Either way, he looks like me when I remember I’ve forgotten to put the chicken in for a Sunday roast. Not a good feeling…

Still, that’s tomorrow’s problem.

According to Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan, City are set to field bids for Kevin De Bruyne from the Saudi Pro League.

De Bruyne is seen as the player to further lift the appeal of the competition and officials are looking to tempt him away.

The playmaker’s contract expires at the end of the season and talks over a new deal with the Treble winners have not yet started.

City supporters – give us your thoughts in the comments!

Manchester City will surely be bullish ahead of this one.

They have won all 13 league games against Bournemouth – the best 100 per cent record by one team against another in top-flight history.

The hosts are also winless in six (D3, L3), having won six and drawn one of their previous seven. They’re certainly improved, however.

All in all, we’re set for an intriguing showdown!

There’s no Lloyd Kelly for Bournemouth. I’m sure Andoni Iraola will explain exactly why that is after the final whistle.

He’s been heavily linked with a move away this summer.

Milos Kerkez has been restored to the side at left back, while Romain Faivre, recalled from Lorient last month, is on the bench.

It’s a strong, athletic side from the hosts, who love to press high.

Manchester City have made three changes this evening.

Nathan Ake, Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic are all in, with Kyle Walker, Julian Alvarez and Oscar Bobb dropping out.

Kevin De Bruyne is among the substitutes.

Ake, of course, is a real favourite at Bournemouth.

Starting XI: Ederson, Akanji, Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Nunes, Kovacic, Silva, Foden, Haaland

Substitutes: Ortega, Walker, Grealish, Doku, De Bruyne, Gomez, Bobb, Lewis

Starting XI: Neto, Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Cook, Christie, Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier, Solanke

Substitutes: Travers, Rady, Mepham, Kinsey, Faivre, Scott, Sinisterra, Outtara, Unal

It’s that time of the evening! Let us know who you think starts today.

City are in a very healthy position, literally and metaphorically.

There were question marks over Jack Grealish but he was snapped climbing off City’s team bus outside Vitality Stadium.

Will Kevin De Bruyne be fit enough to start?

Bournemouth have several absentees. Five players will miss out, including Max Aarons, Philip Billing and Tyler Adams.

It’s absolutely glorious down in Bournemouth today.

There’s a bit of bite in the air (it’s still February, unfortunately) but the sun is shining and any rain on the ground is beginning to dry.

What an afternoon for a game of top-flight football, eh?

The home side are already at the ground. Dominic Solanke, a target for West Ham, took photos before heading inside the entrance.

Just 10 minutes until team news now.

Man City aren’t used to this. They’re having to play catch-up this year!

Pep Guardiola’s side sit four points behind leaders Liverpool in second but have a game in hand.

And with the Reds not in league action this weekend, City will be keen to stay hot on their heels with a win this evening.

I wonder if Guardiola and his side are enjoying this?

Last season, they chased down Arsenal in the end, of course. However, Liverpool are another side that have been there and done it.

Don’t count out the Gunners either. They only sit one point behind the champions and play Newcastle later tonight.

You just cannot slip up in this incredible three-way title race.

The Premier League matches just keep coming your way today!

I love days like these, where you can sit watching the football, whether that be at home with the family or at the pub with your mates.

City are looking to keep within touching distance of Liverpool at the top as they travel down to Bournemouth for today’s 5.30pm game.

They’re expected to win tonight, having never dropped a point against the Cherries in the 13 league games they’ve played each other.

That said, we’re always ready for some surprises.

Stay with us here for all the latest updates from Vitality Stadium.

Liverpool and Arsenal fans, are you watching? You should be!