AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe gave his assessment of a narrow defeat to Manchester City.
The manager reflected on a disappointing day at Vitality Stadium but was positive about his side’s immense efforts against Pep Guardiola’s side.
ON THE FRUSTRATION OF DEFEAT…
I am really pleased with the players, they were dogged and disciplined.
There was also a great atmosphere in the stadium so I thank the supporters for that. But we had our chances to win it too, so it’s hugely frustrating.
ON CONCEDING OVER THE FIFTH MINUTE OF INJURY TIME…
Our aim for the second-half was to kill the game. We’re not frustrated at the goal being scored when it was scored, but more up the other end.
We were looking to counter attack and there was a foul given against Lys Mousset. He made a perfectly good tackle and then they went on to score from that attack.
So that’s what we’re more frustrated about.
ON DANIELS’ WONDER STRIKE…
It is an incredible strike. I didn’t expect him to shoot from there or to even see it go in. The power he got on it, the ability to keep it down, it really is a special goal.
ON THE POSITIVES TO TAKE…
There are so many good things to take from the game. We created chances, both strikers did very well. We were tenacious, and the players gave everything, that’s all I can ask. They’re in the dressing room very disappointed, but off the ball more than on it, that was much more like an AFC Bournemouth performance.
ON HOW CLOSE THE GAME WAS…
We’ve been given some harsh lessons by them previously, they’ve actually been good experiences the defeats against Manchester City.
This is the closest we’ve been, we were very good today, and we had to change the way we played.
We went a different way and I have to compliment the players.
