adminAN explosive African showdown in Manchester – Jordan Zemura versus Riyad Mahrez.
The Algerian magician on the right side of the Manchester City wing and the emerging Zimbabwean protecting that channel for his Bournemouth.
Will Zemura cope?
So far, the Warriors star has been outstanding for the Cherries but, after their win over Wolves in their last match, they know this is the ultimate test.
Cherries boss Gary O’Neil told his players their long-awaited and vital win at Wolves last Saturday was not enough to earn a day off.
They claimed their first win in eight Premier League games as they eked out a 1-0 success at Molineux.
The victory boosted their hopes of escaping relegation but with a trip to City this week, followed by games against leaders Arsenal and Liverpool, there will be no easing up.
O’Neil said: “They enjoyed that. They asked for Monday off. I said no. You have to win more than one game to get a day off, lads.
“But they enjoyed the win because they have been working so hard the last few weeks. I’ve been telling them it was coming.
“They have a real belief in the group that we can cause teams problems.
“I am delighted for them but it’s a big game next week. Let’s get ourselves dusted down and get ready to go again.”
Marcus Tavernier, making his first start since November after overcoming a hamstring injury, scored the only goal at Molineux.
“The boys will fight,” said O’Neil.
“They’re an incredible group and I’ve said that since the day I started.
“Sometimes a lapse or fine margins make it not look as clear as it should be, but the boys will fight regardless.
“But it is important not to get too carried away with the wins and not to get too carried away when you suffer a goal in the last minutes because that can happen.
“Here we managed to make sure it didn’t.”
Wolves had hoped to have turned the corner after victories over Liverpool and Southampton in their last two games but manager Julen Lopetegui admits the loss leaves them firmly in the relegation picture.
The former Real Madrid and Spain coach said: “When I arrived here we were at the bottom and now we are in the middle of the fight.” – Sports Reporter/Bournemouth Echo
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