Erling Haaland bagged a brace as Manchester City eased past Bournemouth 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, climbing to second place in the Premier League table.
The Norwegian striker netted either side of Tyler Adams’ equaliser, before Nico O’Reilly sealed the win with his first goal of the campaign to keep Pep Guardiola’s men within six points of leaders Arsenal.
Although Guardiola has urged other players to share City’s goalscoring load, he certainly won’t mind Haaland maintaining his prolific form, as the forward’s double took him to 13 goals in just 10 league outings this season.
Both of Haaland’s goals came courtesy of Rayan Cherki, who was impressive in only his second league start for the club, marking his return from a two-month thigh injury with his first two Premier League assists.
Despite suffering their first league defeat since the opening day, Bournemouth remain fourth.
The visitors thought they had taken a dream lead inside the first minute when Eli Kroupi converted David Brooks’ low cross, but the flag went up for offside.
Their high defensive line looked vulnerable and was ruthlessly exploited 17 minutes in. Nico González lofted a delicate ball from deep, which Cherki nodded into Haaland’s path.
The striker charged half the length of the pitch before slotting beneath Djordje Petrovic to put City ahead.
However, Bournemouth hit back eight minutes later. City’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma believed he was fouled by Brooks as he attempted to claim a corner, but the ball fell kindly for Adams, who lashed home the equaliser.
VAR official Paul Tierney agreed with referee Anthony Taylor’s on-field decision that there was minimal contact, leaving Donnarumma furious and booked for his protest.
City immediately pushed for a response. Cherki saw one effort blocked, and appeals for a handball against Álex Jiménez were waved away after replays showed the ball had struck the defender’s leg first.
Moments later, City reclaimed the lead with another clinical move involving Cherki and Haaland.
The Frenchman again threaded a perfect pass into space for the striker, who rounded Petrovic and calmly rolled the ball home.
City could have extended their advantage soon after, Haaland teed up O’Reilly, only for Jiménez to clear off the line after Petrovic forced him wide.
The Bournemouth keeper then denied Haaland once more following a sharp through ball from Jérémy Doku.
Bournemouth threatened to equalise early in the second half, with Kroupi firing into the side-netting before forcing a strong save from Donnarumma moments later.
But City reasserted control just before the hour mark. Celebrating his 200th league appearance, Phil Foden combined neatly with O’Reilly, who steadied himself before guiding a low finish into the far corner for 3-1.
Haaland was withdrawn in the 82nd minute, missing out on a hat trick, while substitute Omar Marmoush struck the side-netting late on.
Petrovic denied Tijjani Reijnders a fourth in stoppage time as City comfortably saw out the victory.
