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Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League but lost Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones to injury following a 1-0 success at Bournemouth.<\/p>\nManchester City returned to the top of the Premier League but lost Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones to injury following a 1-0 success at Bournemouth.<\/p>\n
Substitute Riyad Mahrez secured City\u2019s fifth successive top-flight win with a low strike early in the second half after coming off the bench to replace the stricken De Bruyne.<\/p>\n
With title rivals Liverpool not in action until Sunday\u2019s Merseyside derby against Everton, City moved two points clear at the summit, albeit having played a game more.<\/p>\n
But victory on the south coast, which was wrapped up without the hosts producing a shot at goal, came at a significant cost to Pep Guardiola\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Creative midfielder De Bruyne limped off in first-half stoppage time with a suspected hamstring problem, before England defender Stones also exited prematurely minutes after the restart.<\/p>\n
The fresh setback for De Bruyne, who has endured two lengthy lay-offs with knee injuries during a wretched campaign, was the main talking point of a one-sided first half.<\/p>\n
After a brief conversation with Guardiola, he disappeared down the tunnel to be replaced by match-winner Mahrez.<\/p>\n
Dominant City enjoyed 83 per cent possession in the opening period but failed to seriously test Cherries goalkeeper Artur Boruc.<\/p>\n
A tame Stones header was their only attempt on target. David Silva had earlier side-footed wide when well placed from De Bruyne\u2019s pull back, while Nicolas Otamendi directed an acrobatic effort on to the roof of the net.<\/p>\n
With a host of injuries and \u00a325million record signing Jefferson Lerma completing a suspension, Cherries boss Eddie Howe selected a makeshift team.<\/p>\n
Academy graduate Jack Simpson, who made his Premier League debut in a 4-0 defeat at City last season, was handed just his second top-flight start, with the hosts forced to defend deep in a 5-4-1 formation.<\/p>\n
City suffered a second injury problem three minutes after the restart when Stones, returning following three games out with a groin issue, was replaced by captain Vincent Kompany.<\/p>\n
Guardiola\u2019s mood would have improved considerably seven minutes later.<\/p>\n
The ball broke for David Silva in the Bournemouth box and he quickly shifted it to the right for Mahrez to power his first top-flight goal since December 4 past Boruc at the near post.<\/p>\n
Bournemouth had conceded 30 goals in their previous 10 games against top-six opposition this season and would have lost by a far bigger margin had it not been for star man Boruc.<\/p>\n
Raheem Sterling, who scored 10 times in his previous eight games against the Cherries, was twice denied by the veteran Polish keeper when through on goal, while Mahrez had a close-range header pushed away.<\/p>\n
Sergio Ag\u00fcero also had a poked effort repelled by Boruc, before the Premier League\u2019s top scorer almost doubled the advantage in fortuitous fashion with an over-hit cross which came back off the underside of the crossbar.<\/p>\n
City right-back Kyle Walker then incensed the home crowd and was shown a yellow card for scything down Josh King, with the Bournemouth player also booked for his reaction.<\/p>\n
The missed opportunities mattered little in the end as mid-table Bournemouth were unable to carve out an opportunity as their winless run stretched to five games, leaving Guardiola to celebrate on the pitch in front of the travelling fans.<\/p>\n