Manchester City vs Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League result and final score
Manchester City 6-1 Bournemouth: Champions go top thanks to ruthless display
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku scored and created two more goals in seven blistering first-half minutes before adding two more assists in the second period as the champions hammered Bournemouth 6-1 to go top of the Premier League.
After probing carefully for the opening half-hour, City finally opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when Doku played a slick one-two with Rodri on the edge of the box before guiding the ball home.
Three minutes later Doku’s dazzling footwork left the Bournemouth defence flat-footed as he squared for Bernardo Silva to score the second and in the 37th minute his left-foot shot was deflected into the net by team mate Manuel Akanji.
Doku teed up substitute Phil Foden to score in the 64th and, though Luis Sinisterra pulled one back for the Cherries, Silva and Nathan Ake wrapped up the win to send City top on 27 points, one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who host Chelsea on Monday.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
It's wonderful play from City down their right as Silva cuts inside before picking out Alvarez once more. He threads it through to Walker, who only has Kerkez to beat, but a loose touch lets him down as it rolls out of play.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
OFF THE POST! Silva checks back twice, but just can't open up space for a shot so he tees up Alvarez for a cross. He clips it into the far post and Haaland heads it down against Kelly which helps it onto the woodwork.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Doku is facing off against Mepham and times his moment perfectly, bursting past the defender with pace before trying to fizz it into the middle. Zabarnyi slides in to block it and Christie helps to clear the danger.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
CHANCE! Kovacic cuts out another attempted attack by Bournemouth before weaving his way through midfield. He lays it off to Haaland who picks out Rodri, but he curls his long-range shot well wide of the far post.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth have won none of their 18 league games against City (D2 L16), the most any side has ever faced another without winning in English Football League history.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
SAVE! Silva has three defenders in front of him, but he squeezes a pass through to Alvarez before continuing his run, drawing Bournemouth players to him. It opens space for Rodri on the edge of the box, but his low shot is held by Radu.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth work it quickly upfield, but their final ball into the box is letting them down. Christie's cross is blocked, and when Scott tries to pick out Tavernier, he puts it straight out for a throw-in.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
CHANCE! To nobody's surprise, City are dominating the ball, with 83 per cent possession in the first 10 minutes. Their hard work results in a corner which is pulled back to Silva just outside the box, but he fires over the bar.
Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth
It's better from Bournemouth's front three here as they rush out to press City's backline. Walker is forced backwards and he has to go all the way back to Ederson with no route forward.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments