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Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 6-1 Bournemouth (Premier League)

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Manchester City blew Bournemouth away at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon with a 6-1 victory and Jeremy Doku’s involvement in five of the goals.

City returned to action the Etihad Stadium after their tremendous 3-0 victory over derby day rivals Manchester United, meaning a win against Bournemouth would move them back to the top of the Premier League table ahead of both Arsenal and Tottenham’s respective fixtures.

The home side started in full control and kept the ball away from Andoni Iraola’s side across the opening ten minutes. The visitors looked content with the Blues having possession as they sat back and defended deep in their half.

Erling Haaland came within inches of scoring the opener in the 21st minute. A lovely floated ball from Bernardo Silva was met by the Norwegian at the back post and a slight deflection off the head of Lloyd Kelly saw that the ball hit the post and out for a corner.

The deadlock was broken on 30 minutes however, all thanks to a player who would prove to be the stand-out performer on the afternoon; Jeremy Doku. The Belgian picked up the ball on the left side of the visitors box, dancing around the outside to find Rodri who played the ball back to Doku, who placed the ball into the corner of the goal.

Just three minutes later and Manchester City had their second, with Jeremy Doku involved once again. The 21-year-old found himself on the right this time and did just what he does best with the ball at his feet – beat a man. Doku worked his way past his defender and played the ball back to Bernardo Silva for a cool, first-time finish to double the lead.

Number three was scored and you would never guess who played a key part once again. Jeremy Doku was found in space on the left when he received the ball and only had one thing on his mind – getting his second of the game. The winger fired his shot towards the goal and while it seemed to be going wide, it instead struck the back of Manuel Akanji and found the corner of the net.

Mateo Kovacic nearly scored his first goal in Manchester City colours 10 minutes into the second half. A floated ball from Jeremy Doku found Manuel Akanji who knocked it down to the Croatian who swung at it and blazed the ball over the bar.

Four goals scored and four involvements for Jeremy Doku so far. Substitute Phil Foden picked up the ball on the edge of the box and played it to the Belgian as he made the run into the penalty area. Doku saw his run and played in the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ who fired it past the goalkeeper for Manchester City’s fourth of the afternoon.

The visitors caught the City defence sleeping when they got one back in the 74th minute. Former Norwich defender Max Aarons found Luis Sinisterra in space at the back post, who chopped inside and found a gap between Akanji and Ederson to spoil a clean sheet.

City retaliated with another goal of their own and once again, Jeremy Doku was the provider. The Belgium superstar saw Bernardo Silva running in space, with the Portuguese international proceeding to ignore his compatriot Matheus Nunes and dink the ball over the goalkeeper for City’s fifth of the game.

Things went from bad to worse for Bournemouth as Nathan Ake got on the scoresheet for the champions’ sixth. The former Cherries man held off his defender and latched onto a cross from academy graduate Oscar Bobb. Manchester City had been taking short corners all game and in the 88th minute, one had finally come off.

The full-time whistle went much to the delight of the Bournemouth players as Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League after a dominant performance. Jeremy Doku was awarded Man of the Match and rightly so, after tormenting the visitors all game.

Here is how we rated the individual performances from Pep Guardiola’s squad this weekend!

Player Ratings

Ederson – 6

The Brazilian didn’t have much to do. Ederson caused problems with his long balls in behind the Bournemouth defence, but will ultimately be annoyed about losing a clean sheet.

Kyle Walker – 6

Gave the ball away a few times, but otherwise was good defensively. His crosses rarely found anyone, however.

Manuel Akanji – 8

Will be happy to have claimed a goal for himself, despite in fortunate circumstances. Defended well and stopped any counter-attacks from Andoni Iraola’s side.

Nathan Ake – 8

Solid defensively. Did his job effectively and will be happy to get on the scoresheet against his former club.

John Stones – 7

Worked very well with Rodri to retain possession in midfield and defended well when needed.

Rodri – 8

Always reliable. Never loses the ball and looks after it so well. Such a key player in this team.

Bernardo Silva – 9

Controlled the game in the final third. Everything went through him and he took his first goal very well and the second was a real moment of class.

Mateo Kovacic – 6

Had a quiet game. Passed the ball well and was energetic in the midfield.

Jeremy Doku – 10

So exciting when he’s on the ball, very dynamic, and always causes the opposition problems. Great movement for his goal and was instrumental in almost every goal.

Julian Alvarez – 7

Always an option to pass to. Creates space for others and is always looking to create chances.

Erling Haaland – 6

Had a quiet game. Couldn’t take his chance late in the first half and looked to be limping going into the interval.

Substitutes

Phil Foden – 8

Looked after the ball well and scored a very nice goal. Linked up with Bernardo Silva effectively in the final third.

Rico Lewis – 6

Retained the ball well and helped close the game out.

Matheus Nunes – 6

Looked to create chances when he came on. Was there in case Bernardo’s second hadn’t already gone in.

Kalvin Phillips – 6

Closed the game out and stopped any more Bournemouth chances. Retained possession when needed.

Oscar Bobb – 7

Great assist for Nathan Ake’s goal and is keen to make an impact in the first team.

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