Manchester City returned to winning ways in style, brushing aside Bournemouth 3–1 at the Etihad Stadium to silence doubts after last week’s defeat to Aston Villa.
The night belonged to Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, who formed a devastating partnership that tore the Cherries’ defence apart and reignited City’s attacking rhythm.
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Cherki and Haaland: A Partnership in Perfect Sync
City’s approach was clear from kickoff — get the ball to Haaland early and often. The plan paid off just 17 minutes in. Cherki, operating centrally behind the striker, flicked a clever header over Bournemouth’s defensive line. Haaland raced clear from halfway and calmly slotted beyond Djordje Petrovic to open the scoring.
The hosts had survived an early scare when Eli Junior Kroupi’s goal was ruled offside, but Bournemouth found a lifeline later. A corner from the right caused chaos, and City’s keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to clear his lines, punching the ball straight into the air. Tyler Adams reacted quickest, volleying home to level the match.
City’s protests over an alleged foul on Donnarumma went unanswered — and moments later, they thought they might have had a penalty when Alex Jimenez handled a cross, but referee Anthony Taylor waved play on.
It didn’t matter for long. Cherki, brimming with confidence, played an exquisite first-time through ball that split the Bournemouth back line wide open. Haaland latched on, rounded Petrovic, and restored City’s lead with his 13th Premier League goal of the season — a goal that showcased his trademark power and poise.
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Just before the break, Haaland nearly completed his hat-trick after being set up by Jeremy Doku, but this time Petrovic stood tall to deny him.
O’Reilly Seals the Points
Bournemouth pushed forward after halftime and might have drawn level again, but Donnarumma atoned for his earlier mistake with vital saves to deny Kroupi and David Brooks.
City’s response was ruthless. Cherki and Phil Foden combined beautifully before academy graduate Nico O’Reilly curled a composed finish into the bottom corner — his first Premier League goal and the decisive blow on the hour mark.
From there, Pep Guardiola’s men managed the game professionally, rotating late to preserve energy for upcoming fixtures.
Player Ratings from the Etihad
Goalkeeper & Defence
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5/10
A mixed outing. His misjudged punch gifted Bournemouth their equaliser, but he later redeemed himself with two crucial saves. Still, questions linger over his aerial handling.
Matheus Nunes – 6/10
Solid defensively against Semenyo’s pace. Didn’t venture forward much but provided balance and composure on the right flank.
Ruben Dias – 6/10
Dealt with Kroupi’s movement well after a nervous start. Commanding in the air and positioned smartly to prevent counterattacks.
Josko Gvardiol – 6/10
Recovered after being caught out early. Timed tackles well and built play efficiently from the back.
Nico O’Reilly – 8/10
The standout in City’s defensive line. Energetic, assertive, and capped his display with a superb goal — a statement performance from the academy product.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva – 6/10
Uncharacteristically quiet but effective. Kept the ball moving and dictated tempo without making headlines.
Nico González – 7/10
Stepped up impressively in Rodri’s absence. Aggressive in duels and tidy in possession — another assured showing.
Phil Foden – 7/10
Not his most explosive game, but vital in transition. Assisted O’Reilly’s goal with a perfectly weighted pass.
Attack
Rayan Cherki – 9/10
Masterful. Two assists of pure quality and relentless creativity throughout. His understanding with Haaland looked instinctive, and he was unlucky not to score himself from a free-kick.
Erling Haaland – 9/10
Back to his devastating best. Two clinical finishes, constant movement, and sheer intimidation factor. Only a fine Petrovic save denied him a hat-trick.
Jeremy Doku – 6/10
Mixed performance. Dangerous in flashes but inconsistent with his end product. Did well to create one big chance for Haaland.
Substitutes & Manager
Savinho – 5/10
Energetic but wasteful after coming on. Missed a key chance to add a fourth goal.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6/10
Brought pace and composure in midfield to see the game out.
Omar Marmoush, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rodri – N/A
Came on too late to make an impact.
Pep Guardiola – 8/10
His decision to start both Foden and Cherki paid dividends. City looked sharper, more inventive, and far more cohesive than a week ago.
Final Verdict
After a stuttering performance against Aston Villa, Manchester City looked every bit the champions again — dynamic, organised, and ruthless.
Cherki’s arrival as a creative hub behind Haaland might just be the tactical breakthrough Guardiola has been searching for this season.
If this partnership continues to blossom, City’s attacking machine could soon be unstoppable once more.
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