BOSS Eddie Howe insisted there had been positives to take from Cherries’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester City and said: “We were a constant menace to them.”

A Sergio Aguero double along with Raheem Sterling’s strike condemned the Dorset club to their first Premier League loss of the campaign.

Harry Wilson’s stunning first-half free-kick proved consolation for the hosts, who are still yet to take a point off City in the top flight.

Giving his take on the contest, the Cherries boss said: “The lads left everything on the pitch, which was all I could ask for.

“We did have our chances and that’s the frustrating thing. You compare this game to our previous encounters against Manchester City, I think that’s the most we’ve created by a long way.

“I thought we were a constant menace to them. Physically, we were good because it was a really tough afternoon. With the conditions without the ball for long spells in the match we really had to dig in.

“I thought we were efficient in the situations we needed to be. We were a lot better on the ball. In those moments on the counter-attack, in those transitions I thought our bravery was good.

“We were frustrated to lose, of course, but there were a lot of positives to take.”

Harry Wilson’s moment of magic was the highlight for Cherries after Callum Wilson was fouled by Aymeric Laporte.

And Howe described as “incredible” the dead-ball specialist’s second goal in as many games for the club since agreeing a season-long loan from Liverpool.

“I saw him do it so many times for Derby last year in big games for them,” said Howe.

“When we got the free-kick you hoped he might deliver something but then to see what he did – it was an incredible goal – and at a time when we needed that lift.

“It’s really tough to chase a two-goal deficit against this team. When you leave yourself open you can be really punished and exposed, I thought that gave us a lifeline going into half-time.”

Howe added: “I think we had to leave with our supporters knowing we’d given everything to try to win the match.

“We tried to compete against one of the best club teams in the world, we have done that and I couldn’t ask any more.”