30’
32’
A record-equalling performance from Jeremy Doku made up for a misfiring Erling Haaland as Manchester City went top of the league with a crushing 6-1 win over AFC Bournemouth.
Doku, the winger signed from Stade Rennais in the summer, scored one goal and provided four assists in City’s 15th home league victory in a row.
He became the eighth player to set up four goals in a single Premier League match.
How the match unfolded
Shortly after Haaland had headed against a post, Doku broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark at Etihad Stadium. The winger played a one-two with Rodri before curling past Andrei Radu for his first home goal for City.
Three minutes later it was 2-0, with Doku at the heart of it again. The 21-year-old twisted and turned on the right byline before crossing to Bernardo Silva to slot home.
On 37 minutes City had a third. Doku’s shot from the edge of the area deflected off Manuel Akanji to go in for the defender’s first Premier League goal.
Haaland, who missed a further chance, was substituted at half-time for Phil Foden. No reports have yet emerged as to the reasons for his withdrawal.
Dominic Solanke hit the frame of the goal on the hour for Bournemouth. But Foden struck for the fourth match in a row against the Cherries, and in his second match in a row, receiving Doku’s pass in the box before firing past Radu.
Bournemouth pulled a goal back through Luis Sinisterra’s first strike for the club, controlling Max Aarons’ cross before slotting home.
But City struck back with two quick goals. Firstly Doku released Silva, who took the ball down the right side and deliciously scooped it over Radu.
In the last minute of normal time, City substitute Oscar Bobb crossed for Nathan Ake to convert with a diving header against his former side.
A 13th win in a row over Bournemouth, sends City above Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal ahead of their matches this weekend. Bournemouth remain 17th with six points.
Man City report | AFC Bournemouth report
Match officials
Referee: Craig Pawson. Assistants: Marc Perry, Steve Meredith. Fourth official: Anthony Backhouse. VAR: Simon Hooper. Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.
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