CHERRIES' tormentor in chief Raheem Sterling scored one goal and set up another as Manchester City condemned Cherries to a 2-0 defeat that leaves them still glancing anxiously over their shoulders at the Premier League's bottom three.

Play with the commitment and energy they displayed against City's phalanx of superstars for the rest of the season, though, and Eddie Howe's side will be able to rest easy before long.

The real downside of the evening was the injuries suffered by Simon Francis and Jack Wilshere that forced the pair off before half-time.

This contest was in the balance when Sterling scored his fifth goal in three appearances against Cherries on 29 minutes. It was settled 40 minutes later, when Tyrone Mings turned into his own net.

Howe's side, their early-season back-four back in situ for the first time since November 5, had a more familiar look about them than of late, an impression beefed up by the manner in which they swarmed all over their opponents from the outset.

That early pressure quickly had City boss Pep Guardiola spinning on his heels in fury as John Stones' weak defensive header presented possession to Harry Arter.

Stones would have heaved a sigh of relief as the midfielder's shot thumped into his midriff.

Nevertheless, City were always ready with a reminder of the potential outcome when they're afforded room to breathe.

Sterling failed to exploit the space in behind Charlie Daniels when Fernandinho's angled pass found the winger in the box, with Francis then nicking the ball off Gabriel Jesus's toes at the end of a slick City break.

Combustible City boss Guardiola was ready to explode when, on City's next foray, Jesus tumbled under the slightest of tugs from Steve Cook.

As play returned to the other end, Jesus slumped to the floor. The cause of the Brazilian's angst, though, was nothing to do with Cook's contact. He had pulled up sharply minutes earlier, when trying – and failing –to beat Francis to the punch from Sterling's low cross.

Jesus's night was over. And in an ostentatious display of their attacking might, City sent on Sergio Aguero, possibly the Premier League's finest striker of the past five years.

Aguero's first involvement saw him fire low into Cook from another Sterling delivery.

Jordon Ibe, on his first Premier League start since Bonfire Night, was a whisker from breaking through on 19 minutes. The winger made a better fist of his second attempt at getting past Fernandinho than he did his first.

Ibe's ensuing one-two with Wilshere was sublime and only the toes of the fast-closing Willy Caballero prevented the attacker from nicking the ball past the Argentine 'keeper.

The crestfallen Francis hobbled off to be replaced by Mings with the game 23 minutes old.

And City were beginning to purr. Adam Smith's slip enabled Leroy Sane to pick out Sterling in the box. His strike deflected heavily off Cook, before clipping a post.

The next break of the ball off the Cherries defender, however, ran rather more favourably for the visitors.

Cook's touch on Sane's low left-wing delivery inadvertently teed up Sterling at the far post to send a rising finish into the net.

Almost immediately Joshua King stroked home an Ibe cross. The confusion surrounding why King was stood in yards of space as he did so was explained by television replays, which showed the striker had hauled Stones out of his way at the edge of the box.

Referee Neil Swarbrick had spotted the infringement. No goal.

David Silva had a close-range shot beaten out by Boruc, and seconds later the Cherries number one held onto an Aguero effort at the foot of his left-hand post.

Cherries would have been glad of half-time, but before they got there they lost Wilshere, who succumbed to an ankle problem he had sustained in an earlier challenge with Silva.

But far from returning all down in the mouth Cherries' began the second half brimming with zest and purpose.

For all of their intent, though, the hosts were struggling to carve out the clear opportunity they craved.

One Ibe delivery, intended for Benik Afobe – Wilshere's replacement - was bundled away by the visitors, while a Bacary Sagna back pass evaded King by inches and left Howe plunging his head, momentarily, into his hands.

Cook was then perfectly positioned to intercept a cut back from Fernandinho that was bound for Aguero, before the same Cherries defender demonstrated exceptional footwork to outfox Kevin De Bruyne in his own box

The game's pivotal spell was condensed into 180 seconds.

Ryan Fraser's 67th minute ball down the left found Afobe marauding in behind the City rearguard. The striker's lay-off for Arter was perfect, Arter's effort sweetly-hit but meeting its equal in Caballlero, sprawling to push around his right-hand post.

Swiftly to the other end.

Sterling, fed by Fernandinho, stood up Smith, dropped a shoulder and darted for the byline.

The winger's drilled centre took its first touch off Aguero, its second off Mings and limped over the line.

City had chances to add to their two goals. Silva's free-kick was met by Fernandinho heading over the bar, Sane swooped onto a loose Mings touch to send an effort crashing into the bar.

Any more would have been harsh on Cherries, who must hope their trip to West Brom in a fortnight doesn't come too soon for Francis and Wilshere.

Cherries (4-1-4-1): Boruc; A Smith, Francis (Mings, 23), Cook, Daniels; Surman; Ibe (Pugh 76), Arter, Wilshere (Afobe, 45+3), Fraser; King.

Unused subs: Gosling, B Smith, Stanislas, Allsop (g/k).

Booked: Fraser, Arter.

Manchester City (4-3-3): Caballero; Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Fernandinho; Toure (Otamendi, 70), De Bruyne, Silva; Sterling (Nolito, 90+2), Sane, Jesus (Aguero, 15).

Unused subs: Kompany, Fernando, Delph, Bravo (g/k).

Booked: Toure, Sterling, Sane.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Attendance: 11,129.