An ankle injury to Gabriel Jesus cast a shadow over Manchester City’s victory over Bournemouth on Monday, as Raheem Sterling and an own goal from Tyrone Mings sealed a 2-0 triumph.
Pep Guardiola’s side cut Chelsea’s healthy advantage to eight points and took a 29th-minute lead on the south coast through Raheem Sterling.
The opener arrived after teenage sensation Jesus, fresh from three goals in his first two top flight starts, departed with a foot problem.
Sergio Aguero has been consigned to the bench by the Brazil international, with speculation over his long-term future at City an inevitable by-product of his demotion.
City’s top scorer was denied a 19th goal this season when Tyrone Mings was ruled to have got the more decisive touch to Sterling’s 69th-minute cutback but the Argentina star could now have a prolonged opportunity to regain his position as the club’s first-choice striker.
Bournemouth remain without a win in 2017 and, having lost Jack Wilshere to injury, boss Eddie Howe will view the six-point gap between his side and the relegation zone with increasing trepidation.
