Manchester: Raheem Sterling struck in the seventh minute of stoppage time to earn Manchester City a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in their Premier League match Saturday but was then sent off in a tumultuous finale on the south coast. Victory gave City seven points from their opening three games and temporarily put them on top of the table.
Seconds after Bournemouth had a chance to snatch victory the ball went back down the other end and Sterling’s deflected shot looped past helpless Bournemouth custodian Asmir Begovic.
Sterling ran towards the celebrating City fans, some of whom spilled on to the pitch and, after order was restored by stewards and police, referee Mike Dean showed Sterling a second yellow card having already booked him earlier.
Sterling is the first Premier League player to be sent off for excessive celebration since Frederic Piquionne who had faced a similar situation for West Ham against Everton in January 2011. This was also Sterling’s first red card in his 162 Premier League appearances.
It was a crazy end to an absorbing contest which had burst into life when Charlie Daniels lashed home a contender for ‘goal of the season’ to give hosts Bournemouth a 13th-minute lead. Daniels let fly with a left-foot shot from wide on the left and the ball flew past keeper Ederson and in off the crossbar.
Bournemouth’s lead lasted only eight minutes though as Gabriel Jesus stroked home after a lethal pass by David Silva. Bournemouth looked set for their first point of the season until Sterling’s late stunner broke home hearts.
Guardiola was frustrated by the decision (Sterling’s sending off). “Maybe someone can explain to me because I would like to know,” Guardiola said after the match. “He ran to celebrate. If you can’t celebrate with the fans maybe we should play without fans.”
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