#PLStories- AFC Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham on Manchester City defeat #AFCB

Welsh international Mepham returned to the starting XI for the first time since the trip to Brighton at the weekend, playing the full 90 minutes as Pep Guardiola’s side ran out 4-1 winners over Cherries at the Vitality Stadium. ANALYSIS | Cherries' game plan against City was the right approach but let down by mistakes Although his team were well beaten, Mepham expressed how he thought their attacking threat boded well for future games. Speaking after the match, Mepham told the Daily Echo: “It was a tough game, coming up against one of the best teams in the world and we knew that we'd have to suffer for large periods. “I think we would have liked to maybe stay 0-0 as long as possible, try to get to half-time and then it puts a bit more pressure on them to make something happen. “But when they get an early goal it's always uphill back from there. But with that being said, we stuck with it. I thought in the second half we created some chances and looked a threat going forward. “I think you take big belief from that because not many teams can do that against Man City. So yeah, obviously disappointed but positive as always.” Cherries’ attacking threat was undermined by the cheapness of the goals they conceded to the current Premier League Champions. Hamed Traore’s loss of possession in his own half proved costly, with the Cherries defence unable to reset in time to prevent Julian Alvarez from converting the opener. Similarly, the 25-year-old will not like to watch the second goal back, with the defender bypassed by Nathan Ake’s throughball that saw Ilkay Gundogan peel off Mepham and find Phil Foden at the back stick, which eventually led to Erling Haaland powering home. Philip Billing did not cover himself in glory for the third, his misplaced pass allowing Foden to swoop in and score past Neto, before Mepham suffered the ignominy of an own goal, the defender unfortunate as his attempt to block Alvarez’s shot bounced into his own net. Discussing City’s ability to penalise opposition’s mistakes, Mepham restarted: “I think that's why they are where they are. “It doesn't take a lot for them to capitalise on something. “One split moment of not concentrating or someone being dragged out in the wrong position and you get punished. “And it felt like pretty much every big chance they had they scored and that's really frustrating. “But yeah, we'll review it and see where we are.”