AFC Bournemouth
Manager Eddie Howe felt his players had “left everything on the pitch” as they did battle with Premier League champions Manchester City today.
Harry Wilson’s stunning free-kick threatened to spark a comeback after the Cherries had gone behind to first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.
But despite holding their own for long periods in the second half against Pep Guardiola’s galaxy of stars, Howe’s team were unable to fashion an equalise.
And while Aguero’s second goal effectively sealed the points for City after 64 minutes, Howe was delighted with his players’ efforts and endeavours.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Howe said: “We had our chances and that was the frustrating thing.
“If you compare this game to our previous encounters against Manchester City, I think that was the most we have created by a long way.
“I thought we were a constant menace to them. Physically, we were good because it was a really tough afternoon.
“We were without the ball for long spells, we had to really dig in and the lads left everything on the pitch which is all I can ask of them.”
City are the only Premier League team the Cherries have failed to take a point off and Howe was asked what he felt the difference had been between today’s game and the Vitality Stadium clash in March when the hosts did not have a shot on goal.
“I think there are a couple of reasons,” said Howe. “The strength of the team I was able to pick. I thought today’s team was a lot stronger, physically, than that team. We had injuries at the end of last season and were stretched to a degree.
“Today’s team had a lot of pace and power in it and I thought we were efficient in the situations we needed to be.
“We were a lot better on the ball in those moments on the counter-attack and I thought our bravery was good. Of course, we’re frustrated to lose but there were a lot of positives to take.”
Discussing Harry Wilson’s goal, Howe said: “I saw him do it so many times in big games for Derby last season.
“When we got the free-kick, you hoped he may deliver something but then to actually see what he did, it was an incredible goal.
“It came at a time when we needed that lift because it’s really tough to chase a two-goal deficit against this team. If you leave yourself too open, you can be really punished and exposed so that gave us a lifeline going into half-time.”
Put to him that City had been quite physical, Howe replied: “I thought it was that kind of game. They had to be because we were.
“I think they knew they were in a game and that was important for us. We had to leave our supporters knowing we had given everything trying to win the match. We tried to compete against one of the best club teams in the world and we did and you can’t ask any more.”
Howe also responded to a question on Charlie Daniels who was carried off on a stretcher in the first half having sustained a knee injury: “I don’t know exactly what he’s done but I know it’s potentially serious.
“To see a player go off on a stretcher and in the amount of pain he was in, you fear the worst. But until we get a proper diagnosis, it’s difficult to give you definites but we’re concerned for him.
“It’s such a tough one for him and us. It’s a real blow for the club because he’s such a popular member of the squad, such a valued player and he’s worked so hard to get back fit. He’s done everything right and he’s felt so good so to suddenly break like that, it is desperately disappointing.”
