MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola labelled his charges as “supermen” after their 1-0 win away at Cherries.

Saturday’s evening kick-off was decided in the 24th minute by Phil Foden’s strike, Cherries unable to muster a response despite a spirited display.

The result places reigning champions City just a point behind current league leaders Liverpool, with the two sides, alongside fellow title rivals Arsenal, left with 12 Premier League games remaining.

Guardiola also highlighted the fact that Cherries had a week’s rest in comparison to the three recovery days City had after their midweek triumph over Brentford at the Etihad.

That led the Catalan coach to coining his team as “supermen”, highlighting that they had been consistently performing for “many, many years.”

He shared: “They are supermen.

“What can I say? The demands for the calendar, for everything, for the expectations, they are so high. What they have done many, many years with a lot of games, many things and always you believe they will fall down, not continue to do it and they surprise me every time.

“I tell them so that is not normal. For many, many years every three days and Bournemouth have seven days to prepare for one game.

“Seven days dreaming every second of their one week to beat the best team in the world and we have three days to prepare for that.

“It is a lot of competitions, but still we are there and I love it, I love it, I like it. Still we are there.

“I don’t know how much longer we arrive in all competitions but still, we are there. Knowing where we come from, it’s unbelievable.”

Manchester City and Cherries are both in FA Cup fifth [round action this midweek.

Cherries host Championship leaders Leicester City, whilst City are away at fellow Premier League side Luton Town.