Tuesday 14 February 2017 10:25, UK
Eddie Howe believes the injuries his Bournemouth side suffered proved to be decisive as they lost 2-0 to Manchester City on Monday Night Football.
The home side were boosted before kick-off when pre-match injury doubts Simon Francis, Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels were all named in the starting line-up.
But Bournemouth captain Francis had to come off with a hamstring problem after just 23 minutes and while Daniels was able to play on, he was not fully fit.
Jack Wilshere also hobbled off just before half-time with an ankle knock and Howe was frustrated at the impact that had on his team.
He told Monday Night Football: "We gave our best. I thought Manchester City were very good. They kept the ball very well and we found it difficult to build any momentum and pressure.
"In terms of effort and commitment, our lads gave everything and obviously we were hampered by the injuries we received in the first half.
"Losing both players in one half of football is a big blow. When you lose your captain - and he's been really important to us for a number of years - it's a big moment in the game.
"Charlie Daniels was still feeling his knee and there were a few players in there who weren't playing at 100 per cent fitness.
"To then lose a player of Jack's quality was a real blow but we reorganised and had a go. Ultimately they were too good."
Howe's side rallied after half-time and enjoyed their best spell of the match in the period before City got their second goal.
They struggled to create many clear-cut openings, however, with Harry Arter's curled effort, which was saved by Willy Caballero, their only genuine chance of levelling.
The Bournemouth boss added: "We were trying to build momentum, be it from a set piece or a spell of pressure.
"Harry's had his chance and the goalkeeper's done well to save it. We had quite a few balls in their box but nothing dropped for us.
"The second goal was a killer from our perspective because it meant they could keep the ball relatively free of any pressure.
"We worked incredibly hard and the lads were disciplined in our defensive shape. Our goalkeeper made a couple of really good saves when we needed him to.
"We rode our luck within stages of the first half but I felt it was an even, competitive game. Ultimately, I think injuries cost us."
Bournemouth would have remained 14th in the Premier League table whatever the result but losing means they stay just six points clear of the bottom three.
With the club out of the FA Cup, they don't play against until they go to West Brom on February 25 and Howe wants to see a reaction from his side.
He said: "We have to be positive. We go into a little break in the Premier League calendar and we have to come back a refreshed team, ready to fight for our Premier League survival.
"We have no doubts that's the situation we're in and we can grow from this experience and come out a better team."
