Manchester City went back to the top of the Premier League (for the time being) with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
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Bournemouth defended valiantly for a half-hour, but eventually — inevitably — Manchester City broke through and the floodgates were opened. Jeremy Doku opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a clever finish through traffic. The Belgian winger weaved his way into the middle of the field, laid the ball off to Rodri and continued his run into the penalty area. Rodri played the ball back to Doku first-time, and Doku cushioned a right-footed curler to the far post for his second goal of the season.
Three minutes later, Doku turned provider for Bernardo Silva to make it 2-0. Doku danced his way down the right flank and beat his defender twice before cutting a cross back toward the penalty spot, where Silva was waiting. The path between the Portuguese and the far post was filled with bodies, but Silva somehow found a lane to roll the ball into the back of the net.
Doku’s fingerprints were all over Manchester City’s third goal, just four minutes later, as the ball fell to him outside the penalty area once again. And again, he danced right and left to create enough space to fire a shot at goal. Instead, he found the backside of Manuel Akanji a few yards away, which redirected the ball on target and past Ionut Radu for the third time in seven minutes. With Doku’s shot going wide of goal, Akanji was credited with his first career Premier League goal.
Phil Foden made it 4-0 in the 64th minute, before Bournemouth pulled a goal back through Luis Sinisterra in the 74th. Manchester City weren’t quite done yet, though, as they went on to score a fifth (Silva - 83rd minute) and a sixth (Nathan Ake - 88th) in the waning minutes.
What’s next?
Man City will host Swiss side BSC Young Boys at the Etihad in UEFA Champions League play on Tuesday, before returning to Premier League action against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (11:30 am ET). Bournemouth will continue their fight against relegation at home against Newcastle next Saturday 12:30 pm ET).
Player ratings - Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Manchester City vs Bournemouth, final score: 6-1
Goalscorers: Jeremy Doku (30'), Bernardo Silva (33', 83'), Manuel Akanji (37'), Phil Foden (64'), Luis Sinisterra (74'), Nathan Ake (88')
30th minute - GOAL - Jeremy Doku curls a finish through traffic for the opener
33rd minute - GOAL - Bernardo Silva’s finishes a fantastic Doku assist for 2-0
37th minute - GOAL - Doku pings a strike off Manuel Akanji to make it 3-0
64th minute - GOAL - Phil Foden slots home Man City’s fourth
74th minute - GOAL - Luis Sinisterra strikes through traffic to give Bournemouth a late goal
83rd minute - GOAL - Bernardo Silva adds his second, Man City’s fifth of the game
88th minute - GOAL - Nathan Ake heads home to make it a half-dozen for Man City
How to watch Manchester City vs Bournemouth live, stream link, start time
Kick off: 11am ET, Saturday (November 4)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch live on NBCSports.com
Manchester City lineup
Ederson — Walker, Akanji, Stones, Ake — Rodri, Kovacia, Silva, Alvarez, Doku — Haaland
Bournemouth lineup
Radu — Aarons, Mepham, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Kerkez — Christie, Scott, Billing, Tavernier — Solanke
Focus on Manchester City
The champs are very fit, and a little rested. It’s very difficult to predict against them in any game, but this one would have to be some sort of let down.
OUT: Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring - out until December/January)
Focus on Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola’s men are undermanned and at a depth disadvantage but do have the vibes that come from a big if fortunate win over Burnley. Philip Billing is a driving the team.
OUT: Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), Neto (ankle), Lewis Cook (suspension), Darren Randolph (illness)
