By Simon Stone.
Jeremy Doku produced a sparkling performance as Manchester City moved top of the Premier League by thrashing Bournemouth 6-1 at Etihad Stadium.
The 21-year-old Belgium winger opened the scoring with a scuffed finish after half an hour following a one-two with Rodri, and proceeded to set up the next four.
Bernardo Silva slotted home the second from Doku’s cutback and City scored their third in seven first-half minutes when the Belgian’s left-foot shot then deflected in off Manuel Akanji.
City took off top-scorer Erling Haaland at half-time after the striker hobbled down the tunnel at the break but the goals kept coming for the home side.
Doku teed up Phil Foden to thump in the fourth and, after Luis Sinisterra had pulled one back for Bournemouth, he sent Bernardo clear to dink the ball over Bournemouth goalkeeper Andrei Radu for number five.
Nathan Ake completed the scoring with a close-range diving header from Oscar Bobb’s cross as Pep Guardiola’s team go a point ahead of Tottenham at the summit.
Doku shines amid Haaland injury concern
One of the major reasons why Haaland has been able to score so many goals for City is that he has hardly missed a game.
At Dortmund, Haaland had three absences of about a month. Since he came to the Premier League the most he has sat out is a couple of matches.
But it was obvious something was wrong when he failed to make a move towards a low Julian Alvarez cross just before the break.
His reaction was the flex his leg a couple of times and he was moving unusually slowly as he spoke to Alvarez on their way to the tunnel.
Evidently, if there is one side who could weather the loss of someone who has scored 65 times in 68 games, it is reigning champions City.
In beating Bournemouth, they extended their record of winning every home game they have played in all competitions during 2023 to 22. They are now on a run of 14 successive victories against Bournemouth. Their 13 straight league wins against the Cherries is a Premier League record.
Nevertheless, with a trip to Chelsea next weekend and matches against Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa immediately after this month’s international break, Guardiola would prefer the issue to be a short-term one.
Against more limited opponents though, Haaland’s problem was not a factor as Doku took the starring role.
While the Belgian’s goal – a strike from inside the box after a one-two with Rodri – was excellent, arguably his assists were even better.
Foden was quick to pay tribute to the 21-year-old for the way he spotted him in space inside the Bournemouth box and delivered a pass perfectly through a crowd of bodies.
Doku had already tricked his way to the byeline to set Bernardo up once. The sweeping pass that sent the same man running away to brilliantly finish off City’s fifth was sublime.
Scott’s Bournemouth injury fear
Bournemouth suffered another significant blow in addition to the damage to their goal difference on a day when even limited pre-match expectations proved beyond them.
Young midfielder Alex Scott only made his debut a fortnight ago after arriving from Bristol City in the summer with an injury.
The 20-year-old, nicknamed the Guernsey Grealish after an impressive performance for his old club in this same stadium last season, appeared to be running off a dead leg when he was confronted by Rodri in the City box.
The block tackle that resulted left Scott on the floor and in obvious pain. There was no chance of him continuing and as the £25m man was helped to the dressing room, Iraola had a consoling word, presumably hoping privately the damage is not as severe as it looked.
Premier League Results
Fulham 0-1 Manchester United
Brentford 3-2 West Ham United
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1-1 Brighton
Sheffield United 2-1 Wolves.