Manchester City warmed up for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final clash against Arsenal with an unconvincing 2-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth.
Departing captain David Silva and Gabriel Jesus both netted stellar first-half goals in a busy week for Pep Guardiola's side following the overturning of their two-year ban from Uefa competition on Monday, but the relegation-threatened Cherries gave an impressive display at Etihad Stadium and pushed hard for a late point in their fight against the drop after substitute David Brooks had reduced the deficit with two minutes left to play.
City - guaranteed to finish second in the Premier League - made six changes ahead of the weekend trip to Wembley, with John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi starting together for just the third time this season at centre-back and the fit-again Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho and David Silva also coming in alongside Phil Foden.
Bournemouth made four changes of their own following Sunday's surprise thrashing of top-four contenders Leicester that revived their survival bid, with Steve Cook, Philip Billing, Junior Stanislas and Josh King drafted in as Eddie Howe sought to end a wretched run of eight successive away league losses.
It did not take City long to get into their stride on home soil, with some early incisive passing leading to a chance for David Silva, but the set-up ball from Gabriel Jesus was too heavy and the opportunity wasted.
The Spaniard - playing in his penultimate home game for City before ending his decade-long stint with the club this summer - did get his name on the scoresheet just minutes later, however, stepping up to bend a terrific left-footed free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar after being taken out by Jefferson Lerma.
Fernandinho then fizzed a long-range shot narrowly wide before Bournemouth forced the initiative and rallied in search of an equaliser, looking to pack bodies into the opposition box.
King held off Benjamin Mendy and fired narrowly wide on the turn after a crucial header from Stones prevented Dan Gosling from having a chance to nod home from close range.
Foden fired an awkward effort harmlessly over Aaron Ramsdale's crossbar before a sublime stop from Ederson stopped Junior Stanislas' free-kick from nestling in the top corner after Otamendi had clumsily fouled Dom Solanke.
The Brazilian scrambled to his left to somehow push the ball onto the post and got the good fortune such a fine save merited when the ball bounced out for a corner after deflecting back off his head.
King went close again for Bournemouth and Otamendi's last-ditch block from point-blank range denied Solanke after a smart reverse pass from Gosling.
The visitors then paid the price for their missed chances as Gabriel Jesus received possession from David Silva on the left-hand side of the penalty area and showed brilliantly quick feet and skill to nutmeg Jack Stacey, cut inside Cook and arrow a faultless strike into the far corner.
The second half began in comparatively pedestrian fashion despite City introducing Raheem Sterling as well as Eric Garcia at the break, with corners for either side failing to elicit further chances.
Bournemouth momentarily thought they had reduced the deficit when Stanislas' pass was turned into an empty net by King at the back post, only for the flag to go up and a narrow offside decision be confirmed by VAR.
The visitors were firmly on the front foot again, but still they could not find a way through as Gundogan blocked Gosling's powerful drive after Ederson had palmed away a searching Stanislas cross.
City were awarded a penalty when David Silva and Gabriel Jesus - who arguably should have had a spot-kick in the first half when he was shielded away from the ball by Lerma - combined to great effect once more and the latter appeared to be brought down by Steve Cook as he shaped to shoot, though referee Lee Mason's decision was correctly overturned by VAR.
Gabriel Jesus shot wide again in his last act before being substituted and Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson was perhaps lucky to avoid a yellow card for simulation after tumbling in the box following a smart one-two with Lewis Cook.
Callum Wilson could only guide Brooks' low pass agonisingly wide of the far post and Foden was denied by Ramsdale before City were finally punished for some lax defending.
Callum Wilson sneaked in behind Stones to collect a long pass forward and he squared for Brooks to tap in and set up a grandstand finish.
City were left clinging on in six minutes of second-half stoppage time, with Callum Wilson and Lerma both missing chances and Ederson bravely diving at the feet of substitute Sam Surridge to seal a hard-fought if somewhat fortunate sixth consecutive home victory.
Bournemouth remain 18th and three points adrift of safety with two matches left to play this term against Southampton and Everton, with all eyes on Friday's key clash between West Ham and Watford at London Stadium.
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