The result meant they slipped to seventh, three points behind City, and manager Eddie Howe hopes his side’s progress to the Carabao Cup final – which will give them a shot at a first major trophy since 1969 – is not going to prove a distraction.
Gonzalez, the £49.9million recruit from Porto, shone on his first league start in the City midfield, providing a measure of control sorely missing since linchpin Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September.
City manager Guardiola said: “I think the presence of Nico helped us a lot because of 10 balls, the 50-50s, he wins seven and you can run.
City did not look back after Marmoush opened his City account on 19 minutes and quickly followed up with two more.
The only concern for City was an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland late in the game but Guardiola played down concerns, saying the player had been “smiling like always” afterwards.
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