Manchester City swept to the highest of the Premier League as Jeremy Doku’s dazzling show impressed a 6-1 win in opposition to Bournemouth, however the champions’ rout was marred by Erling Haaland’s damage scare. Pep Guardiola’s facet ripped Bournemouth aside with three objectives in seven minutes late within the first half on the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Belgian winger Doku led the best way as he scored the treble winners’ opener earlier than organising Bernardo Silva for the second. Manuel Akanji deflected in Doku’s shot for City’s third purpose and Phil Foden grabbed the fourth after the interval from one other Doku help.

Teed up by Doku but once more, Silva made it 5 and Nathan Ake accomplished the demolition job for City.

However, Guardiola will probably be sweating on Haaland’s health after the Norway striker was pressured off at half-time following a first-half knock.

“Twist in the ankle. We didn’t want to take risks with him because he didn’t feel comfortable,” Guardiola stated.

Haaland’s availability is unsure for City’s Champions League conflict with Young Boys on Tuesday and their Premier League journey to Chelsea subsequent weekend.

“He’ll be back maybe Tuesday but maybe next Sunday. Hopefully not a big issue,” Guardiola stated.

Saluting Doku, the City boss added: “He’s settled so quick. It’s not just today, all the games he played have been really good. He is an incredible threat.”

Since dropping to title rivals Arsenal in October, City have reeled off 4 successive victories in all competitions — together with three within the league — to point out their starvation for silverware stays robust after final season’s unimaginable haul.

“This team surprise me a lot. After 11 games we are close. Top of the league, Champions League we have done what we need to do,” Guardiola stated.

“The way we are training, the dedication and commitment, we have incredible captains leading.”

Guardiola’s males have now received each residence recreation in all competitions in 2023 and sit one level away from Tottenham.

Ange Postecoglou’s facet will regain high spot in the event that they beat Chelsea on Monday.

Rampant City

Under-fire Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola lastly secured his first Premier League victory final weekend in opposition to Burnley.

But there was by no means any probability of Bournemouth making it two in a row as City laid seige to the Bournemouth purpose, with Silva firing simply over from the sting of the realm.

Rodri‘s low shot from an analogous distance pressured a save from Andrei Radu and Haaland was inches away from scoring the opener when he headed in opposition to the submit from Julian Alvarez‘s cross.

City’s dominance was lastly rewarded within the thirtieth minute as Doku took possession on the sting of the realm and performed a one-two with Rodri earlier than curling a nice end previous Radu.

Guardiola’s males doubled their lead three minutes later as Doku turned the supplier.

Doku’s nimble footwork prised open the Bournemouth defence and Silva calmly transformed his cut-back from close-range.

With the floodgates nicely and really open, City continued the deluge of objectives within the thirty seventh minute.

Once once more, Doku was the person on the centre of the motion with a low 20-yard strike that took a hefty deflection off Akanji because it flashed previous Radu.

Foden, on for Haaland, ensured City wouldn’t be destabilised by their striker’s departure because the England ahead completed off Doku’s go within the sixty fourth minute.

Luis Sinisterra bought one again for Bournemouth with a composed shot on the flip within the 74th minute.

But Silva blasted residence from Doku’s very good lengthy go within the 83rd minute and Ake headed in 5 minutes later to cap City’s demolition.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)