A LAST-GASP strike from Raheem Sterling meant Cherries suffered a heart breaking 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City.

The former Liverpool man, who was sent off for a second booking following his celebrations after the goal, popped up in the seventh minute of stoppage time to give Pep Guardiola’s side victory.

A stunning first-half strike from defender Charlie Daniels was cancelled out by a cool finish from City striker Gabriel Jesus before England international Sterling sealed the winner.

Cherries made three changes from the Premier League home defeat against Watford.

Jordon Ibe, Ryan Fraser and Benik Afobe made way for Tyrone Mings, Dan Gosling and Jermain Defoe, who made his first Premier League start for the club following his switch from Sunderland.

The hosts also changed their shape to operate with a three-man defence, in what was Mings’ first league start since March.

City also rung the changes with four alterations from the side that drew 1-1 with Everton last time out.

In came Benjamin Mendy, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Danilo in place of Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero, John Stones and the suspended Kyle Walker.

And with their change of system, Cherries set the early tempo.

On five minutes, Joshua King turned brilliantly away from Nicolas Otamendi and released Adam Smith down the right.

The full-back found King again but the former Manchester United youngster saw his shot blocked.

Cherries looked up for the contest and on 13 minutes, a moment of magic from Daniels put them into a one-goal lead.

After Gosling’s cross from the left was cleared to the edge of the box, the full-back unleashed an absolute screamer into the top corner on the angle to give Eddie Howe’s side the advantage.

Following their first Premier League goal of the campaign, Cherries continued to push forward and they almost made it 2-0 just six minutes later.

A precise cross from Andrew Surman found Defoe, who reacted quickly to force a sharp save from Ederson in the away goal.

But for all Cherries’ endeavour, City drew level on 21 minutes.

A quickly taken free-kick allowed David Silva time to slide in Gabriel Jesus, who coolly finished to level the game up.

That sparked the visitors into life and Jesus could have had a second. He thumped a cross from Mendy just wide as the title-hopefuls started to step up a gear.

David Silva continued to orchestrate and, with City looking in the mood to threaten, he created an opening for Danilo to fire at Begovic at his near post.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international was then called on again to deny Bernardo Silva after Ake gave the ball away.

Dutch international Ake was in the thick of it during the opening period, and Cherries would have been pleased to see him back on his feet after receiving treatment on what appeared to be a knee problem.

Cherries continued to absorb pressure following the break, but showed their threat on the counter just short of the hour mark.

King raced forward and was brought down by Vincent Kompany in a dangerous area, but the chance was wasted as Smith and Defoe’s training ground move was snuffed out.

Cherries then came within inches of re-taking the lead on the hour mark.

Harry Arter’s square ball teed up King, whose left-foot effort cannoned off the inside of the post and away to safety.

Aguero was then brought on for the visitors and within four minutes of entering the field, saw his claims for a penalty waved away after colliding with Adam Smith. Fernandinho’s shot was then gathered by Begovic.

It was then City’s turn to hit the woodwork as the tension began to rise.

A corner swung in to Otamendi saw the central defender left without a challenge but he could only head against the inside of the post.

Nerves were high again for the home fans as Aguero’s free-kick was sent inches wide of the post.

That came before a verbal spat between Howe and City boss Pep Guardiola had to be cooled down.

Afobe then came off with a knock and was replaced late on by Lys Mousset.

Cherries almost won it themselves when King broke through and shot, but with almost the final kick of the contest, Sterling sealed the winner for City.

After a controversial free-kick was awarded in midfield. His effort from inside the box looped up off Surman, and painfully fell into the corner of the net.

Sterling was sent off in the dying seconds by referee Mike Dean for his celebration after the strike, but City held firm with 10 men.

Cherries: Begovic; Ake, S Cook, Mings; Smith, Surman, Arter, Gosling, Daniels; King; Defoe (Afobe, 73, Mousset 90+4). Unused subs: Boruc, Smith, L Cook, Fraser, Ibe

Booked: Ake, S Cook, Mings, A Smith, Arter

City: Ederson; Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Mendy; Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva (Stones, 90+9); Sterling, B Silva (Aguero, 66) Jesus (Sane, 82). Unused subs: Bravo, Mangala, Delph, Toure

Booked: D Silva, Kompany, Mendy, Sterling (2)

Sent off: Sterling

Referee: Mike Dean