SUBSTITUTE Riyad Mahrez’s goal condemned Cherries to a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City – despite a resolute rearguard effort at Vitality Stadium.

Mahrez, who had come on for Kevin De Bruyne in first-half stoppage time, struck 10 minutes into the second period after being teed up by David Silva.

Title-chasing City enjoyed 82 per cent of possession but were constantly thwarted by a wall of red and black.

However, the hosts carried little attacking threat and failed to have a shot at goal all afternoon.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe brought in Jack Simpson for his second Premier League start, placing him alongside Nathan Ake and Chris Mepham in a youthful central defence.

The fit-again David Brooks made his first start in more than a month while Charlie Daniels was also recalled. Jordon Ibe, Dan Gosling and Lys Mousset dropped to the bench.

City dominated possession from kick-off and centre-half Nicolas Otamendi headed across goal from De Bruyne’s corner.

Another corner from the Belgian was coolly nodded back to keeper Artur Boruc by Ake from the edge of the six-yard box.

It took City nearly 19 minutes to fashion an opening of note, Bernardo Silva releasing De Bruyne down the right and his low centre was directed off target by Silva.

Midway through the first half, Brooks received attention having earlier gone to ground under a sliding challenge from Otamendi, for which a free-kick was not given. The Welshman was deemed fit to continue.

Otamendi sent an overhead kick a yard over from De Bruyne’s corner, with set-pieces seemingly providing the visitors with their best opportunities against a stubborn five-man defence.

A dipping effort from Raheem Sterling dropped wide and after De Bruyne limped off, City went into the break having failed to test Boruc.

Ake was momentarily in the wars fewer than two minutes into the second period. He rose to meet Ryan Fraser’s free-kick but Ederson punched clear and the Brazilian’s momentum saw him clatter into the former Chelsea man.

Bernardo elected to run at Ake and Fraser in a bid to turn to tide but his resultant shot flew well over the bar.

In the 55th minute, City broke through. Following smooth build-up play in which Oleksandr Zinchenko was heavily involved, the ball broke to Silva off Charlie Daniels and he found the unmarked Mahrez, who poked low past Boruc at his near post.

Boruc then saved twice from Sterling in the space of moments, first comfortably and then tipping behind a dangerous effort from the England star following Bernardo’s through ball.

City had cranked up their efforts and Sterling’s low cross found Sergio Aguero, who stabbed at the ball but could not beat Boruc.

The Pole made a superb intervention to paw clear with Sterling steaming in after Simpson’s header back to him had lacked the required power.

And Boruc got the faintest of touches to Aguero’s mis-hit cross, which diverted the ball on to the bar.

City boss Pep Guardiola had to intervene to prevent a touchline ruck after Kyle Walker had cleaned out King. The Norwegian reacted furiously and put his hand on Walker’s throat, with referee Kevin Friend cautioning both players.

A strong palm from Boruc blocked a bullet header from Otamendi to keep the scoreline at 1-0 at the final whistle.

MATCH STATS

Cherries (5-4-1): Boruc; Clyne (Rico, 83), Mepham, Simpson (Ibe, 83), Ake, Daniels; Smith, Surman, Brooks (Mousset, 75), Fraser; King.

Unused subs: Gosling, Taylor, Surridge, Begovic (g/k).

Booked: King.

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones (Kompany, 48), Otamendi, Zinchenko; Gundogan, De Bruyne (Mahrez, 45+2), D Silva; B Silva, Aguero (Gabriel Jesus, 90), Sterling.

Unused subs: Danilo, Foden, Sane, Muric (g/k).

Booked: Otamendi, Walker.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).