Bournemouth vs. Manchester City: Winners and Losers from Premier League

Manchester City delivered a much-needed victory away at Bournemouth to stabilise their top-four place. 

Goals from Fernando, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov sealed an impressive 4-0 win.

This was City back to something close to their best, moving the ball with purpose and inventiveness and outthinking the opposition with their creativity. They produced some outstanding football. 

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STAT ATTACK | All the numbers from City's domineering display on the South Coast. #afcbvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/sP4pE94wsM

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 2, 2016"

Here we look at some of the winners and losers from an entertaining game at Dean Court. 

Winner: Kevin De Bruyne

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There can be little doubt about the man of the match. 

Kevin De Bruyne, returning after a two-month absence with a knee injury, was instrumental in City's fantastic first-half display that ended Bournemouth's challenge. His goal was superb—a side-foot volley after wonderful interplay between Aguero and David Silva. He also produced a string of great moments. 

His passing is vital to City, and they have missed his ability to unpick the lock. 

With City set to face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the Champions League quarter-final, his return is a timely one. 

Loser: Wilfried Bony

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Wilfried Bony has had a torrid few weeks, with poor displays against Aston Villa, Norwich City and Manchester United seeing his stock with the City fans fall to an all-time low. 

And today, as City looked to make changes with the game won, Kelechi Iheanacho was brought on to replace Aguero, leaving the Ivorian on the bench and third in the pecking order. 

Pellegrini's patience with Bony has bordered on madness. It seems he's finally come to his senses. 

Winner: Manuel Pellegrini

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It just went perfectly for Pellegrini, didn't it?

His selection was bang on, with City overwhelming Bournemouth in the first half and wrapping the game up by the half-time break. 

It allowed him to rest key players ahead of Wednesday's game with PSG, with Aguero, Silva and De Bruyne all coming off for a rest. 

West Ham's draw means he can breathe a little easier tonight. 

Loser: Eddie Howe

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Eddie Howe has been a superb manager for Bournemouth, but twice this season he has shown staggering tactical naivety against City.

Just like they were at the Etihad in October, his side were too open, inviting City to hit them on the break.

It's admirable that he sets his side up to be attacking, encouraging an attractive style, but sometimes a drop of pragmatism may help them. 

Winner: Fernandinho

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With so many players in receipt of praise, the performance of Fernandinho at Dean Court may get lost.

It shouldn't. He was absolutely superb, the driving force of the side and the catalyst from deep for so many of their moves. 

In truth, he's probably been the star of their season as a whole. This is a world-class player. Txiki Begiristain's time in charge of signing players hasn't been to everybody's liking, but he landed a star when he brought the Brazilian to the club in 2013.