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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Rico Lewis explains why Man City squad were 'gutted' after thumping Bournemouth win

Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis explained that the Blues were left gutted after they conceded late on during their routine victory over AFC Bournemouth.

City were in front 15 minutes in as Julian Alvarez reacted first when Erling Haaland struck the crossbar from close range. The Norwegian doubled the Blues' lead less than quarter of an hour later as an Ilkay Gundogan cross looked to pick it out Phil Foden.

However, a deflection took it away from the Englishman and into the path of the striker, who fired home. The match was over as a contest on the stroke of halftime.

ALSO READ: City player ratings vs Bournemouth

A Phillip Billing misplaced pass went straight to Foden who showed great composure to fire home. City made it four just after the restart as Alvarez's strike was deflected in for a Chris Mepham own goal.

With the match won, City took their foot off the gas and were punished in the 83rd minute as Jefferson Lerma powered a shot into the roof of the net. That goal took some shine off the scoreline, according to Lewis, and left himself and his teammates unhappy.

He explained to the BBC: "The best thing to do to come back from a few poor results is to win. We are gutted not to get a clean sheet but it sends out a message.

"The early goal set the tone and we could have had more in the end. I love playing in this role.

"I have played as a midfielder before and then been a full-back so I love it. I have played there all the way through the academy but with these players around you it's 10 times easier."

When asked about how Pep Guardiola has helped him to develop, the 18-year-old added: "I got my rhythm quickly and did as well as I could. Pep just tells me to play my normal game but asks me to go inside alongside Rodri, to give us more control of the midfield.

"It's about winning the ball back on the transition. It's nice that he wants to play me and trusts me, it's up to me to perform.

"The players in the dressing room are very experienced and have had it every year, we know to focus on ourselves and that's the only way." City are still two points behind Arsenal who sit at the top of the Premier League following their victory earlier in the day at Leicester City.

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