HARRY Wilson’s stunning strike could not prevent defeat for Cherries, as Sergio Aguero’s brace and a Raheem Sterling goal earned champions Manchester City victory at Vitality Stadium.

City, who are the only side Cherries have not taken a point off in the Premier League, looked to be cruising towards victory after moving 2-0 ahead inside the first half.

But Wilson, on as a substitute following a nasty looking knee injury suffered by Charlie Daniels, gave the hosts hope, beautifully curling a free-kick into the top corner just before the break.

However, any momentum built up by Eddie Howe’s men was ruined just past the hour mark when Aguero turned in again as City eased to a 3-1 win to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on Cherries.

Eddie Howe made one change from the side which beat Aston Villa last weekend with Chris Mepham returning in place of Harry Wilson, who dropped to the bench. He was joined among the substitutes by Jack Simpson, with Jack Stacey missing out on the squad.

Champions Man City also made one alteration following their 2-2 draw with Tottenham as David Silva came in as captain for his 400th club appearance, replacing Rodri. Gabriel Jesus was absent from the squad due to injury.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Cherries failed to register a shot for the entirety of the contest. But they wasted little time in testing Ederson when Joshua King broke through the centre and fired straight at the City goalkeeper.

Bernardo Silva was the first to try his luck at the other end with Nathan Ake on hand to make a vital block inside the penalty area.

Cherries fans were soon left frustrated after two challenges from the visitors saw them go into the book – Kyle Walker for a late challenge on Ake before Ederson raced out and caught Callum Wilson with a high foot on the wing.

But the frustration grew further when City got in front on 15 minutes. Oleksandr Zinchenko found space on the left and delivered low. De Bruyne scuffed his effort nicely into the path of Aguero, who tucked into the bottom corner.

Goalkeeper Ramsdale was soon called into action to keep the deficit at just one, diving to his right to parry away a David Silva volley.

Disappointment became concern just past the half hour mark as the game entered a lengthy delay for treatment on an injury to Daniels. The left-back, who only returned last week following a four-month lay-off having dislocated his left kneecap, went down clutching his right knee after delivering a cross.

Harry Wilson was introduced in place of Daniels, who was stretchered off, as Cherries opted for a reshuffle. Ryan Fraser shifted across to left-wing-back, Joshua King moved over to the left of the attack with Wilson slotting in behind namesake Callum Wilson on the right.

And the substitute enjoyed a lively cameo before the break. First, his cross caused chaos in the box with Nicolas Otamendi knocking it straight into the path of Smith from six yards, but the defender’s shot was inexplicably stopped by the head of Ederson.

That miss looked costly as City doubled their tally. Bernardo Silva broke down the right and picked out David Silva, who in turn slipped the ball to the onrushing Sterling, who made no mistake in tucking past Ramsdale.

However, the best goal of the half was still to come. Midway through six additional minutes, Harry Wilson lined up a free-kick from 25 yards and bent an incredible strike into the top corner, via the post, giving Ederson no chance.

The chances kept coming after the restart. Steve Cook produced a lunging block to deny Sterling before Callum Wilson got beyond the defence and was denied by the knee of Ederson.

From there City broke through Aguero, who fed the ball to De Bruyne on the edge of the box, but the midfielder curled just wide.

Cherries then received a let-off when Jefferson Lerma appeared to trip David Silva in the box, but after consultation with VAR no penalty was awarded.

But it did not take Silva long to work his way into the box again, dribbling through the heart of the Cherries defence and despite a challenge from Ake, Aguero was alert to poke the ball home.

Howe quickly turned to his bench, introducing both Jordon Ibe and Dominic Solanke in place of Adam Smith and Callum Wilson.

Solanke tested Ederson late on, but Cherries could not find a way back into the contest.

Cherries: Ramsdale; Mepham, Cook, Ake; Smith (Ibe, 69), Lerma, Billing, Daniels (H Wilson, 37); King, Fraser; C Wilson (Solanke, 69).

Unused subs: Simpson, Rico, Surman, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: Lerma

Man City: Ederson; Walker (Cancelo, 90), Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan (Rodrigo, 57); B Silva (Mahrez, 79), De Bruyne, D Silva, Sterling; Aguero.

Unused subs: Angelino, Fernandinho, Foden, Bravo (g/k).

Booked: Walker, Ederson, Otamendi

Referee: Andre Marriner

Attendance: 10,486