Pep Guardiola praised the “distinctive” temper amongst his Manchester Metropolis gamers after they remained on Arsenal’s heels within the Premier League title race by thrashing Bournemouth.
Metropolis ran out comfy 4-1 winners on the Vitality Stadium, having successfully wrapped up victory by the tip of a primary half through which they struck 3 times by means of Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden and outclassed the hosts.
“I am very happy with what I am seeing on daily basis,” mentioned Guardiola. “The temper of the locker room is outstanding, the coaching periods are actually, actually good. Everybody helps one another.
Chris Mepham deepened Bournemouth’s woes an personal aim shortly after the interval.
It was a scientific show of ending from Metropolis who appeared like scoring each time they attacked, because the hole on leaders Arsenal was in the reduction of to 2 factors following the Gunners’ win earlier on Saturday.
It was a primary victory in three for the champions, who dropped two factors away to Nottingham Forest of their final league outing earlier than drawing the primary leg of their Champions League last-16 tie away to RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
There have been no such difficulties for Guardiola’s facet on the south coast as they returned to successful methods with effectivity and magnificence to remain scorching on Arsenal’s path.
Guardiola added: “It is robust as a result of we performed a number of video games away this final month. No restoration, three days between video games, large journey. Lots of strain, demanding physicality.
“At present we got here right here and behaved in the best way we behaved. It made me really feel we nonetheless have the need to try to to strive. We are going to attempt to battle for this Premier League, I haven’t got any doubts.”
Pep: Gamers in bother if they do not salute followers
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester Metropolis’s win towards Bournemouth
Even at 4-0 up within the second half, Metropolis’s gamers could possibly be seen combating doggedly to try to protect their clear sheet.
Prime scorer Haaland, whose first-half strike took his haul to 27 within the league and to inside seven objectives of the all-time Premier League document for a season, was among the many gamers scrapping to get the ball clear as Bournemouth threatened from a goalmouth scramble.
Guardiola mentioned that he expects no much less from his gamers of their responsibility to the staff’s followers, who had travelled down from Manchester.
“The gamers might be in bother if they do not do it,” mentioned the supervisor. “They are going to be in bother. When followers come 5 – 6 hours of their vehicles, purchase a ticket, with our salaries, we now have to run whether or not it is 3-0, 4-0, 5-0.
“It appears like I’m a demagogue, but it surely’s the reality. You’ll be able to carry out properly or dangerous. However the effort on this membership while I am right here by no means might be put unsure.
“We see the faces how pleased they’re after we win. You produce a very good feeling in folks, households. Inform me one thing else that may be higher than that. Our supporters away are unimaginable.”
O’Neil: Loads of positives from second half
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Bournemouth supervisor Gary O’Neil remained optimistic following defeat to Manchester Metropolis insisting they may be taught classes from the match
Jerfferson Lerma’s late strike gave residence supporters some momentary cheer after 83 minutes, however this had been the champions’ day.
Bournemouth supervisor Gary O’Neil felt his facet gave a very good account of themselves however have been undone by particular person errors that proved expensive.
“Not passing to them twice in our half would have been good,” mentioned O’Neil. “I assumed the efficiency was first rate. We bought punished for a few errors.
“I assumed we have been on the entrance foot. Other than the scoreline, I assumed it was uncomfortable for Man Metropolis.
“I assumed we gave it an actual good go, however we bought closely punished for a few errors. We did not benefit from our alternatives. There was tons to be optimistic about.”
Man Metropolis should keep on Arsenal’s coat-tails
Man Metropolis goalscorer Julian Alvarez celebrates
Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp:
“Lots of the instances if you lose to Manchester Metropolis, there’s high quality to their objectives however there was a scruffiness to them tonight. Zemura was solely inquisitive about going ahead whereas Billing was additionally sloppy for one of many objectives.
“Groups punish you at this stage. The third earlier than half-time killed Bournemouth. Gary O’Neil might imagine this is not the worst consequence on the earth, they usually deserved their aim however Pep Guardiola will know these are very important three factors.
“You have to keep on Arsenal’s coat-tails and you have to preserve asking the query. It is a large win.”
How Lewis helped unleash Gundogan
Rico Lewis was recalled to the Man Metropolis facet
Is Metropolis’s cloak of invincibility slipping? It has been requested this previous week. It was questioned whether or not Pep Guardiola not has a harmonious dressing room.
When the cracks have emerged in title rivals earlier than, Metropolis have gone into overdrive. Not this season. It’s they who’ve left the door ajar. It’s not the Metropolis we have turn into accustomed to.
In order that they got here to the Vitality Stadium to take the factors and to make one on the identical time. Three unanswered first-half objectives from Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden blew Bournemouth away.
After a winless midweek in Europe, Pep Guardiola’s facet delivered the response he desires. Actually by way of the primary 80 minutes of this match. Pep, ever the perfectionist, might be upset to lose the clear sheet so late on.
Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the Leipzig recreation by means of sickness, was match sufficient just for the substitutes bench – but it surely was the usage of Rico Lewis which allowed Ilkay Gundogan to determine this match earlier than the interval.
Lewis has not began a recreation, nor been used in any respect, since Metropolis have been overwhelmed at Tottenham earlier this month, but it surely was his potential to chop inside which might enable Gundogan licence to float ahead – De Bruyne-like – and trigger a lot injury.
Lewis mentioned: “I bought my rhythm rapidly and did in addition to I might. Pep simply tells me to play my regular recreation however asks me to go inside alongside Rodri, to offer us extra management of the midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan impressed in a extra superior position
“It is about successful the ball again on the transition. It is good that he desires to play me and trusts me, it is as much as me to carry out.”
Foden helped himself to a aim and an help within the first half, as did Haaland – onto 27 PL objectives which surpasses Sergio Aguero as essentially the most in a single PL season for Metropolis – with 13 video games nonetheless to play. Huge moments for large gamers.
Foden’s solely different aim for the reason that World Cup got here within the convincing 4-0 win over Chelsea within the third spherical of the FA Cup. For Haaland, it was simply his second in his final seven video games to quieten the noise round whether or not Metropolis are getting the most effective out of him. Metropolis face Newcastle subsequent up on the Etihad – it’s as you have been within the title race.
Bournemouth should stay in contact come April
Jefferson Lerma scores a comfort aim
Bournemouth have been with out the injured Marcus Tavernier – and the hosts missed final week’s match winner at Wolves. Nevertheless it will not be in video games equivalent to these that their Premier League standing might be determined.
Gary O’Neil introduced Chris Mepham into the staff in what was the one change from the Cherries’ win at Molineux, however on the identical day his nation have been overwhelmed by England within the Six Nations, Welshman Mepham was confronted with a baptism of fireside – his personal aim compounded a torrid night for the centre-back.
Jefferson Lerma diminished the arrears late on along with his first aim since October – and O’Neil pointed to the optimistic of getting drawn the second half.
“By way of effort and endeavour and the response to going behind, we have been on the entrance foot,” he mentioned. “You may really feel from the followers that they have been on board with the kind of efficiency that we put in.
“We simply got here up somewhat bit brief towards an excellent staff. It was an fascinating take a look at for them at half-time since you really feel the sport is finished.
“The second half wanted to be a response and we confirmed the world that we did. The fourth aim might’ve killed the boys off however we nonetheless created alternatives.
“I am upset that we did not rating a pair extra. While you’re a participant, you get to mirror on these video games and see the extent Metropolis are at. There’s loads I’ll take from in the present day and construct on the positives.”
O’Neil is aware of the character of this division means his facet should begin amassing extra factors, nonetheless. Bournemouth have received solely considered one of their 9 Premier League video games for the reason that World Cup break, shedding six instances, with their 5 factors accrued throughout that point fewer than another facet.
They face a vital April with fixtures towards Southampton, West Ham and Leeds – these are the video games that may determine whether or not they keep within the Premier League or not.
What’s subsequent?
Bournemouth’s subsequent recreation is away to title-chasing Arsenal on Saturday; kick-off 3pm. Gary O’Neil’s facet then host Liverpool on Saturday March 11; kick-off 12.30pm.
Manchester Metropolis will now change their focus to the FA Cup, the place they face a visit to Bristol Metropolis on Tuesday; kick-off 8pm. Pep Guardiola’s facet then host top-four hopefuls Newcastle on Saturday; kick-off 12.30pm.
