MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola hailed the performance of relegation-threatened Cherries and said: “We could not control them.”

Goals from David Silva and Gabriel Jesus sent the hosts on their way to a 2-1 victory over the Dorset club, who netted late on through former City youngster David Brooks.

And former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola had no problem admitting Cherries had made it tough for his side.

He said: “It was a really difficult game, they played really well. We could not control them.

“We started well in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half but then we had a problem in our build-up.

“We struggled and their high pressing was so good, so it was a difficult game.

“They played for their needs – that were so high to stay in the Premier League. We played good in some moments.”

Defeat left Cherries three points from safety with just two games of their season remaining.

But Guardiola revealed his admiration for Howe’s troops.

He told Sky Sports: “They are an incredibly good team.”