Bournemouth were trailing 2-1 at halftime after an Erling Haaland brace, but they showed good character to equalise after the Norwegian’s first through Tyler Adams.
Match report:
They were able to keep the deficit at one heading into the break, but a Nico O’Reilly goal on the hour mark gave City the two-goal advantage and ensured there was no way back for the Cherries.
Reflecting on the game, Iraola felt his side did well at times, but that was not enough to get anything.
“I think overall we played a decent game, but decent is not enough to take something from this kind of stadium,” he told the Daily Echo.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
“No, you need to have something special. And there have been moments in the game where they've made a difference.
“And when we had, especially with the 2-1, second half, I remember two chances quite clear from Junior Kroupi that I think you trust him in this kind of situations and we don't score.
“And at the end, this is about the moments. If you want to take something against City here, you have to use your moments.
“I think first half they punished us with Haaland. The way we want to play, at the end we accept that there is a risk behind our defensive line and probably the coordination there between the centre backs has not been spot on.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
“And against other players, maybe you have time to correct and no one notices. But against Haaland you lose one metre and it's impossible to recover because he's faster than anyone.”
Iraola admitted the Norwegian was the difference maker in the first half and he pounced on their defensive lapses.
“Especially the first goal, I think we were in a good moment before the goal,” he said.
“I think last five minutes before the goal we were playing in their half and quite, not comfortable, you are never comfortable, but getting to nice spots.
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
“But in one of our attacks, you lose the ball, you don't position properly, we jump, we don't cover in behind and he punishes us.
“Sometimes you have to accept he's a difference maker and if you make the smallest of the mistakes, he can punish you like he did today.
“Especially in the first two goals where the timing, the speed, the finishing is top class.”