AFC Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester City: 5 Talking Points

#1 Mahrez's matchwinner - oh how he needed that!

Mahrez wheels away to celebrate his effort - only the Algerian's fourth goal this season

With a £60m price-tag floating above his head, it's fair to say that Riyad Mahrez has so far failed to live up to high expectations in Eastlands this term. After electrifying fans and critics alike at Leicester, the 28-year-old was angling for a step-up in quality and finally got his wish when City came calling last summer.

However, the Algerian winger has flattered to deceive and struggled to earn a starting berth among a star-studded City team. That seems baffling to say, considering he's now scored eleven goals and created ten assists (all comps) this term.

Therein lies the problem. His production numbers may appear impressive on the surface, but they're not in the grand scheme of things. Decision-making, composure and wasteful finishing at key moments often let him down and it's no wonder he has predominantly been utilised as a rotation option under Guardiola this season.

It's a similar role to the one Bernardo Silva had last season, yet now the Portuguese international is easily one of the first names on his team sheet every matchday. So it's not to say he can't develop and justify his place, but inspired performances like these off the substitutes' bench definitely help Mahrez's cause.

He recorded four shots, two key passes, 85.7% pass accuracy and crucially the winning goal for City in a game where they dominated possession and chances without reward before his introduction.

Questions can be levelled Boruc's way after letting the effort squirm beyond him at his near post, though Mahrez and Manchester City will not care. It's his sixth league goal of the campaign - first since December vs. Watford and he'll be hoping to build on this with more important fixtures to come.

Stats' source: WhoScored