Foden strikes as title chasing Man City beat Bournemouth

Manchester City’s English midfielder #47 Phil Foden (C) vies with Bournemouth’s Ukrainian defender #27 Illia Zabarnyi (L) during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on February 24, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Phil Foden fired Manchester City to a 1-0 win against Bournemouth as the Premier League title chasers moved within one point of leaders Liverpool on Saturday.

With Liverpool in League Cup final action against Chelsea on Sunday, City took advantage to close the gap in their game in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Foden netted in the first half at Dean Court and City survived a rocky second half to win for the 13th time in their last 14 games in all competitions.

Chasing an unprecedented fourth succesive Premier League title, Pep Guardiola’s men weren’t at their best on the south coast but displayed the resolve required to grind out a vital victory.

“Phil Foden is playing the best football I have seen from him. Everyone made a contribution and I’m really pleased,” Guardiola said.

“I don’t know how much longer we arrive in all competitions but still, we are there. They are supermen.”

Frustrated by City’s lack of preparation time amid a hectic schedule, Guardiola added: “They had seven days to prepare for this game but we had three. There are teams who play with less recovery than the other one in the Premier League.

“In general it was unbelievable the way we defended because we needed it. When you don’t have recovery and the players are tired, you cannot expect to be perfect because they are human beings.”

While Liverpool remain in pole position, City are hot on their heels after extending their unbeaten run in all