CHERRIES went toe-to-toe with reigning champions Manchester City but lost out 1-0 under the Vitality Stadium lights.

Phil Foden’s 24th minute strike proved the difference in an end-to-end encounter, with Cherries unable to find an equaliser despite consistent pressure in the second period.

Andoni Iraola made one change to the side that drew 2-2 away at Newcastle United last time out, Milos Kerkez replacing Lloyd Kelly who dropped out due to a hip complaint.

Early on, Foden’s beautiful touch saw the ball bypass the Cherries defence and find Erling Haaland in a dangerous-looking position.

However, the Norwegian goal-machine arguably rushed his effort, curling well wide with Neto flat-footed.

Cherries quickly countered, culminating in the game’s first shot on target as left-back Kerkez saw a speculative effort from range tipped over the bar by City keeper Ederson.

City would find a breakthrough on 24 minutes. A long ball found Haaland inside the Cherries box, the striker comfortably getting goal side of Marcos Senesi.

His effort from an acute angle was a fine one, more than matched by Neto in the Cherries goal, but the rebound fell kindly to Foden to tuck home for his 16th goal of the season.

Cherries had a half-chance when Dominic Solanke won a free kick midway through the City half.

The dead ball was whipped towards Ryan Christie, who was awaiting in a dangerous area, but goalie Ederson was quick to soar out his goal and punch clear.

Jarred Gillett was slowly earning more and more ire from the home crowd for his decisions.

There were further groans when Antoine Semenyo appeared to have been felled on the byline by Nathan Ake, with Gillett unmoved by the protestations on the pitch and in the stands.

Semenyo had been enjoying a fine battle with former Cherry Ake, getting the better of the Dutchman just before half time.

That allowed Semenyo to tee up Christie, who drew a low stop out of Ederson in the last action of the first 45 minutes.

After surviving sustained pressure upon their goal from City, Cherries had their best chance of the game so far in the early stages of the second period.

Semenyo again had the better of Ake, leaving the defender on the ground as he reached the byline.

His ball across goal found Tavernier at the back post, only for the winger to scuff his effort and skew the ball off target.

Moments later Solanke’s hold-up play fashioned another chance for Tavernier with the same end result, the ball flashed wide.

Cherries went closer again at a corner.

Tavernier sent a high ball swooping towards the back post, finding the head of Solanke who steered the ball goal bound.

City goalkeeper Ederson managed to shove the ball off the line to keep his side’s lead intact.

At the other end a combination of Kerkez and Neto denied Haaland.

The Hungarian’s slide tackle did not completely stop the striker, but Neto was at full spread to save the eventual effort.

That proved the Premier League’s top goalscorer’s final interaction, as he was subbed off for Julian Alvarez.

Iraola turned to his own bench to make attack-minded substitutions. Romain Faivre replaced centre-back Marcos Senesi, before Luis Siniterra came on for left-back Kerkez.

However, despite the injection of attacking talent, Cherries were unable to find an equaliser.

Former City talent Enes Unal flashed a header wide when he reached Semenyo’s cross inside the area, Cherries' best chance of the closing stages.

Cherries: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi (Faivre, 79), Kerkez (Sinisterra, 88); Cook, Christie (Unal, 88); Semenyo, Kluivert (Scott, 68), Tavernier (Ouattara, 68); Solanke.

Unused subs: Mepham, Kinsey, Radu (g/k), Travers (g/k).

Booked: De la Torre, Cook, Senesi.

Manchester City: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Stones, Ake; Silva, Rodri, Kovacic (De Bruyne, 84); Nunes (Doku, 63), Foden, Haaland (Alvarez, 75).

Unused subs: Walker, Grealish, Gomez, Bobb, Lewis, Ortega (g/k).

Booked: Silva, De Bruyne.

Match official: Jarred Gillett.