Phil Foden scored to give Manchester City a 1-0 win against Bournemouth as leaders Liverpool moved within a point of the Premier League title race on Saturday. With Liverpool set to face Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday, City took advantage of Jurgen Klopp’s side closing the gap on their game. Foden scored in the first half at Dean Court and City survived difficult conditions in the second half to win for the 13th time in their last 14 matches in all competitions.

Chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, Pep Guardiola’s men were not at their best on the south coast but demonstrated the determination needed to secure a crucial win.

Guardiola said, “Phil Foden is playing the best football I’ve seen from him. Everyone contributed and I’m really happy.”

“I don’t know how long it will take us to get to all the competitions but we are still there. They are supermen.”

Guardiola, frustrated by City’s lack of preparation time amid a busy schedule, said: “They had seven days to prepare for this game but we had three. There are teams in the Premier League that have less recovery time than other teams. Let’s play together.”

“Generally the way we defended was unbelievable because we needed it. When you don’t have recoveries and players are tired, you can’t expect to be perfect because they’re human beings.”

While Liverpool remain top, City are in high spirits after extending their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions since losing at Aston Villa in December.

Saluting City’s dynastic reign in the Premier League, Guardiola said: “Every three days for years, not just this season, for years. It’s difficult but they’re still winning. My admiration for all the players is incredible. Is.”

City travel to Luton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday before hosting Manchester United in a crucial league game next weekend.

Guardiola left Kevin De Bruyne on the bench, but City quickly found their rhythm.

Foden delivered a pin-point pass to Erling Haaland, who headed towards goal but missed a drive that went out on the whistle.

Bournemouth almost made Haaland pay for that miss when Milos Kerkez’s fine effort forced Ederson to make a good save.

But City immediately went on the offensive as the live-wire Foden brought Bournemouth keeper Neto into action for the first time with a long-range blast.

It was a warning that Bournemouth failed to heed as Foden put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute.

Haaland dominated the penalty area and fired a shot which Neto could only deflect to Foden, who had the simple task of tapping into the empty net.

city ​​on ropes

Foden’s 16th goal in all competitions this season almost followed Bernardo Silva’s moment of magic when the City midfielder headed narrowly wide.

Bournemouth are without a league win in seven matches since Boxing Day, but they bounced back to give City a real scare.

Ederson made a good save from Ryan Christie’s strike just before half-time and the Brazilian was called into action again shortly after the interval.

Justin Kluivert was given too much time and space outside the City area and the Bournemouth forward’s low drive was denied with all his might by Ederson.

After another narrow win against Brentford in midweek, Guardiola was again making restless shifts on the touchline as Bournemouth’s confidence grew.

Marcus Tavernier missed a chance to equalize with a poor finish from Antoine Semenyo’s cross.

Tavernier was guilty of an even worse mistake later on when the goal slipped out from 10 yards out, at his mercy.

In what was usually such a calm situation, City were at one point wobbly, but Ederson made a superb save from Dominic Solanke’s header to preserve their lead.

In his last action before being replaced by Julian Alvarez, Haaland’s powerful volley ended with a fine save by Neto.

City were nervous until the final whistle, but Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara missed a good chance before Enes Unal’s header went inches wide.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)