Dec 23, 2017 at 3pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 54,270
Man CityManchester City
4-0
Bournemouth
Aguero (27', 79'), Sterling (53'), Danilo (85')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Smith (63')

John Stones, David Silva back in Manchester City training

Stones, Silva back in City training
© SilverHub
Manchester City duo John Stones and David Silva return to training ahead of Saturday's meeting with Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City duo John Stones and David Silva have returned to training ahead of Saturday's meeting with Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.

Centre-back Stones has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring against Leicester City in November, while Spanish midfielder Silva missed last weekend's win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The recovery of both players comes at an important time, as Pep Guardiola's side begin the defence of their 11-point Premier League lead throughout the Christmas period.

Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, who were the subjects of strong challenges in last weekend's defeat of Spurs, are not injured and Guardiola has said that is important that referees protect players.

"I don't believe the players go to injure another one - it is impossible to think that - but the football is quick, fast and aggressive and the refs have to follow the rules," the Spaniard told The Mail.

"Everybody is squealing about diving here. If they want to punish those who are diving, it's OK but the main thing the ref has to do is protect the players.

"Always we are aggressive and sometimes we get injured. All the teams want to win and want to fight in the best way. I have no doubts that Dele Ali and Harry Kane are top-team players. I am not suspicious or thinking they are dangerous players."

City go into their game against the Cherries looking for a 17th consecutive league win.

Harry Kane rues a missed opportunity in Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League match against Stoke City on December 9, 2017
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City19181060124855
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd19133341142742
3Chelsea19123432141839
4Liverpool1998241231835
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs19104534181634
6Arsenal19104534231134
7Burnley199551615132
8Leicester CityLeicester197662928127
9Everton197572430-626
10Watford196492734-722
11Huddersfield TownHuddersfield196491731-1422
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton195681523-821
13Southampton194781825-719
14Stoke CityStoke1954102240-1819
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1953111929-1018
16Crystal Palace194691629-1318
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham1945101935-1617
18Bournemouth1944111528-1316
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom192891427-1314
20Swansea CitySwansea1934121126-1513
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